scholarly journals Serological Survey of Canine Vector-Borne Infections in North-Center Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Pérez Pérez ◽  
Iván Rodríguez-Escolar ◽  
Elena Carretón ◽  
José Ángel Sánchez Agudo ◽  
Jacob Lorenzo-Morales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Gis Analysis ◽  
European Continent ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Castilla Y Leon ◽  
Prophylactic Measures ◽  
Vector Borne

Various factors are currently causing an increase in vector-borne parasitic diseases at a global scale; among them, some stand out, such as climatic disturbances derived from global change, the increase in movements of reservoir animals, or changes in land made by human activity. In the European continent, there have been an increasing number of epidemiological studies focused on the detection of these diseases, especially in dogs. In Spain, there are few epidemiological studies focused on the evaluation of the biotic and abiotic factors that may influence the distribution, such as climatic zones, orography, or presence of water reservoirs. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and distribution of several canine vector-borne diseases caused by Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, the largest region of the Iberian Peninsula, providing a geospatial approach based on a geographic information system (GIS) analysis. Blood from a total of 1,475 domestic dogs from the nine provinces of Castilla y León were analyzed. Also, a GIS analysis of the sample locations was carried out, taking into account the most important predictor variables. The prevalence in dogs infected by D. immitis was 7.19%, and the seroprevalence by L. infantum was 4.61 and 1.56% for A. platys and E. canis. Most of the infected animals were located in areas with stagnant water, irrigated agriculture, or riverbanks, always close to forest and woodland vegetation. These results indicate that dogs living in Castilla y León should take prophylactic measures to avoid infections.

scholarly journals Mosquito diversity and dog heartworm prevalence in suburban areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith R. Spence Beaulieu ◽  
Jennifer L. Federico ◽  
Michael H. Reiskind
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Suburban Areas ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Wake County

Abstract Background Urbanization is occurring rapidly on a global scale and is altering mosquito communities, creating assemblages that are characteristically less diverse. Despite high rates of urbanization and ample examples of vector-borne diseases transmitted by multiple species, the effects of urbanization-driven mosquito diversity losses on disease transmission has not been well explored. We investigated this question using the dog heartworm, a filarial parasite vectored by numerous mosquito species. Methods We trapped host-seeking mosquitoes in undeveloped areas and neighborhoods of different ages in Wake County, North Carolina, USA, analyzing captured mosquitoes for heartworm DNA. We compared within-mosquito heartworm infection across land-use types by Kruskal–Wallis and likelihood ratio tests. Using zip code level data acquired from dogs in a local shelter, we performed linear regressions of within-host heartworm prevalence by within-mosquito heartworm prevalence as well as by three mosquito diversity measures. We also determined the best predictor of host-level prevalence among models including within-mosquito infection, mosquito diversity and abundance, and socioeconomic status as variables. Results Suburban areas had lower within-mosquito heartworm prevalence and lower likelihood of heartworm-positive mosquitoes than did undeveloped field sites, although no differences were seen between suburban and undeveloped wooded sites. No relationships were noted between within-mosquito and within-host heartworm prevalence. However, mosquito diversity metrics were positively correlated with host heartworm prevalence. Model selection revealed within-host prevalence was best predicted by a positive relationship with mosquito Shannon–Wiener diversity and a negative relationship with household income. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that decreases in mosquito diversity due to urbanization alter vector-borne disease risk. With regard to dog heartworm disease, this loss of mosquito diversity is associated with decreased heartworm prevalence within both the vector and the host. Although the response is likely different for diseases transmitted by one or few species, mosquito diversity losses leading to decreased transmission could be generalizable to other pathogens with multiple vectors. This study contributes to better understanding of the effects of urbanization and the role of vector diversity in multi-vectored pathosystems.

scholarly journals Presence of Rickettsia Species in a Marginalized Area of Yucatan, Mexico

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaspar Peniche-Lara ◽  
Bertha Jimenez-Delgadillo ◽  
Claudia Munoz-Zanzi ◽  
María Cárdenas-Marrufo ◽  
Carlos Pérez-Osorio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Rickettsial Infection ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne

In the state of Yucatan, Mexico, rickettsiosis has become a common vector-borne disease in the general population. Ectoparasite species such as Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Amblyomma mixtum have been identified as Rickettsia vectors in Yucatan by studies focused on the wild animal population in rural areas. There have been studies that have tried to determine the presence of Rickettsia species in ectoparasites collected in Yucatan, but these studies did not include marginalized areas, where living in close contact with domestic and peridomestic animals that carry ectoparasites is a high-risk factor for acquiring rickettsial infection or many other vector-borne diseases. We evaluated the vector diversity and the presence of Rickettsia species presence in the ectoparasite population that parasitizes domestic animals in a marginalized rural town of Yucatan, Mexico; we also evaluated the seroprevalence of rickettsial antibodies in the human population of this town in order to determine the prevalence of rickettsial infection. A total of 437 ectoparasites were collected from the study area. The tick specimens collected belonged to the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n=380, 49 positive), Amblyomma mixtum (n=3, 0 positive), Ixodes affinis (n=4, 0 positive), Ctenocephalides felis (n=33, 0 positive), and Trichodectes canis (n=17, 0 positive). Conventional polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were used to identify the DNA of Rickettsia. Six out of 354 (1.8%) serum samples were positive for antibody to R. typhi. The combination of low antibody titers and the presence of Rickettsia species infecting ectoparasite species found in the study area requires eco-epidemiological studies and the identification of potentially protective practices or habits.

scholarly journals Associating Land Cover Changes with Patterns of Incidences of Climate-Sensitive Infections: An Example on Tick-Borne Diseases in the Nordic Area

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10963
Author(s):  
Didier G. Leibovici ◽  
Helena Bylund ◽  
Christer Björkman ◽  
Nikolay Tokarevich ◽  
Tomas Thierfelder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
The Past ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽  
Vector Borne

Some of the climate-sensitive infections (CSIs) affecting humans are zoonotic vector-borne diseases, such as Lyme borreliosis (BOR) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), mostly linked to various species of ticks as vectors. Due to climate change, the geographical distribution of tick species, their hosts, and the prevalence of pathogens are likely to change. A recent increase in human incidences of these CSIs in the Nordic regions might indicate an expansion of the range of ticks and hosts, with vegetation changes acting as potential predictors linked to habitat suitability. In this paper, we study districts in Fennoscandia and Russia where incidences of BOR and TBE have steadily increased over the 1995–2015 period (defined as ’Well Increasing districts’). This selection is taken as a proxy for increasing the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens due to increased habitat suitability for ticks and hosts, thus simplifying the multiple factors that explain incidence variations. This approach allows vegetation types and strengths of correlation specific to the WI districts to be differentiated and compared with associations found over all districts. Land cover types and their changes found to be associated with increasing human disease incidence are described, indicating zones with potential future higher risk of these diseases. Combining vegetation cover and climate variables in regression models shows the interplay of biotic and abiotic factors linked to CSI incidences and identifies some differences between BOR and TBE. Regression model projections up until 2070 under different climate scenarios depict possible CSI progressions within the studied area and are consistent with the observed changes over the past 20 years.

scholarly journals Focus on Common Small Animal Vector-Borne Diseases in Central and Southeastern Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-169
Author(s):  
Leschnik Michael
Keyword(s):  
Small Animal ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Distribution ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Prophylactic Measures ◽  
Zoonotic Risk ◽  
Vector Borne

AbstractVector-borne diseases are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in small animals in Europe. Many of these diseases are well-known among veterinary practitioners and some of them are called emerging diseases as prevalence, temporal and spatial distribution seem to increase in Europe. The number of newly recognized pathogens, transmitted by a variety of arthropod vectors, that are relevant for dogs and cats, is also increasing every year. The prevalence among infected vectors and hosts is a hot topic in veterinary science throughout the entire continent, as well as the development of efficient diagnostic procedures, therapy and prophylactic measures. Companion animal vector-borne diseases comprise a large group of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminths. These pathogens are mainly transmitted by bloodsucking arthropods (ticks, fleas, mosquitos, sand flies), and more seldom by direct transmission between vertebrate hosts. Vector prevalence and activity is influenced by local climate conditions, host species density, changes in landscape and land use. Human parameters such as poverty and migration affect the use of prophylactic measures against pathogen transmission and infection as well as increasing the zoonotic risk to introducing pathogens by infected humans. Small animal associated factors such as pet trade and pet travel spread infection and certain vectors such as ticks and fleas. All these factors pose several complex and significant challenges for veterinarians in clinical practice to decide on efficient laboratory work-up and constructive diagnostic procedures.

scholarly journals Absence of blood parasites and other vector-borne pathogens in Alpine marmots (Marmota marmota) in Western Austria

2021 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 1125-1129
Author(s):  
Hans-Peter Fuehrer ◽  
Ilona Soukup ◽  
Bita Shahi-Barogh ◽  
Walter Glawischnig
Keyword(s):  
Winter Season ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Alpine Region ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Alpine Habitat ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Marmota Marmota ◽  
Vector Borne

AbstractThe importance of vectors and vector-borne diseases (VBDs) is increasing on a global scale. Many vectors and pathogens benefit from global warming and can spread to novel habitats where they were formerly not present, including higher altitudes. Various vector-borne pathogens (VBPs), such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, have been reported in, for instance, red foxes and wild ungulates in the Western Austrian Alps. However, these animals are known to migrate to lower regions in the winter season, and therefore, it is of interest to investigate if VBPs are also present in mammals faithful to their higher altitude alpine habitat all year round. Blood parasites and other VBPs, namely. Trypanosomatidae, piroplasms, Hepatozoon spp., filarioid helminths, Anaplasmataceae, and Rickettisa spp., were thus analysed with PCR in 148 alpine marmots (Marmota marmota). None of the marmots’ blood samples was positive for these VBPs, indicating a low abundance or absence of competent vectors in the alpine region. Alpine marmots seem to be naïve for VBPs (at least in our study area). An overview of VBD agents in other marmot species is given.

scholarly journals Outbreaks of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases Are Associated With Changes in Forest Cover and Oil Palm Expansion at Global Scale

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Morand ◽  
Claire Lajaunie
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
International Governance ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne

Deforestation is a major cause of biodiversity loss with a negative impact on human health. This study explores at global scale whether the loss and gain of forest cover and the rise of oil palm plantations can promote outbreaks of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. Taking into account the human population growth, we find that the increases in outbreaks of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases from 1990 to 2016 are linked with deforestation, mostly in tropical countries, and with reforestation, mostly in temperate countries. We also find that outbreaks of vector-borne diseases are associated with the increase in areas of palm oil plantations. Our study gives new support for a link between global deforestation and outbreaks of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases as well as evidences that reforestation and plantations may also contribute to epidemics of infectious diseases. The results are discussed in light of the importance of forests for biodiversity, livelihoods and human health and the need to urgently build an international governance framework to ensure the preservation of forests and the ecosystem services they provide, including the regulation of diseases. We develop recommendations to scientists, public health officers and policymakers who should reconcile the need to preserve biodiversity while taking into account the health risks posed by lack or mismanagement of forests.

Higher sika deer density is associated with higher local abundance of Haemaphysalis longicornis nymphs and adults but not larvae in central Japan

2013 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideharu Tsukada ◽  
Yoshio Nakamura ◽  
Tsugihiko Kamio ◽  
Hisashi Inokuma ◽  
Yasuko Hanafusa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sika Deer ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Central Japan ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Biotic And Abiotic Factors ◽  
Deer Density ◽  
Wild Host ◽  
Local Abundance ◽  
Vector Borne

AbstractHaemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) is one of the most common and important arthropod disease vectors in Japan, carrying Japanese spotted fever and bovine theileriosis. The recent expansion of sika deer (Cervus nippon, Artiodactyla: Cervidae) populations, the most common wild host of H. longicornis, has also caused concern about increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases in Japan. We used generalized linear mixed model analysis to determine the relative contribution of deer density and other biological and abiotic factors on the abundance of H. longicornis ticks questing at each developmental stage. A total of 6223 H. longicornis adults, nymphs, and larvae were collected from 70 sites in three regions of central Japan. The abundance of questing adult and nymphal ticks was associated with deer density and other biotic and abiotic factors. However, the abundance of questing larvae showed no association with deer density but did show an association with other biotic and abiotic factors. These findings show that a high density of deer along with other biotic and abiotic factors is associated with increased risk of vector-borne diseases through amplified local abundance of questing nymphal and adult H. longicornis. Further, questing larvae abundance is likely regulated by environmental conditions and is likely correlated with survival potential or the distribution of other host species.

Recent study on canine vector-borne zoonoses in southern Slovakia – serologic survey

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktória Čabanová ◽  
Nikola Pantchev ◽  
Zuzana Hurníková ◽  
Martina Miterpáková
Keyword(s):  
Elisa Test ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Prophylactic Measures ◽  
Circulating Antibodies ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Significant Spread ◽  
Sera Samples

AbstractOver the last decade a significant spread of Canine Vector Borne Diseases has been recorded in Central Europe. The aim of the study described here, was to collect current data on the occurrence and distribution of three major canine vector-borne pathogens in the veterinary clinical practice by a newly-developed commercial ELISA test for the detection of Dirofilaria immitis antigen as well as specific circulating antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Circulating D. immitis antigen was detected in five of 180 investigated sera samples. Two of D. immitis seropositive dogs revealed also microfilariae of D. repens in the blood and three of them were negative for the presence of microfilariae in the Knott´s test. From the practical point of view, the finding of D. immitis occult infections might influence existing knowledge about distribution of this species among dogs in Central European countries. In 11.7% of the tested dogs the presence of specific antibodies against A. phagocytophilum was confirmed. Antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. were detected in 2.8% of tested sera samples. Coinfection with A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. was observed in two dogs from Košice district in south-eastern Slovakia. Our data point toward the presence of Canine Vector Borne Diseases in the studied area. Therefore, veterinarians should include these diseases in their differential diagnosis and higher awareness should be focused also on prophylactic measures to prevent the pathogens transmission by arthropod vectors.

scholarly journals Ecological Effects on the Dynamics of West Nile Virus and Avian Plasmodium: The Importance of Mosquito Communities and Landscape

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1208
Author(s):  
Martina Ferraguti ◽  
Josué Martínez-de la Puente ◽  
Jordi Figuerola
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
West Nile ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Mosquito Communities

Humans and wildlife are at risk from certain vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and West Nile and yellow fevers. Factors linked to global change, including habitat alteration, land-use intensification, the spread of alien species, and climate change, are operating on a global scale and affect both the incidence and distribution of many vector-borne diseases. Hence, understanding the drivers that regulate the transmission of pathogens in the wild is of great importance for ecological, evolutionary, health, and economic reasons. In this literature review, we discuss the ecological factors potentially affecting the transmission of two mosquito-borne pathogens circulating naturally between birds and mosquitoes, namely, West Nile virus (WNV) and the avian malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Traditionally, the study of pathogen transmission has focused only on vectors or hosts and the interactions between them, while the role of landscape has largely been ignored. However, from an ecological point of view, it is essential not only to study the interaction between each of these organisms but also to understand the environmental scenarios in which these processes take place. We describe here some of the similarities and differences in the transmission of these two pathogens and how research into both systems may facilitate a greater understanding of the dynamics of vector-borne pathogens in the wild.

scholarly journals Usutu virus – potential risk of human disease in Europe

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (31) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Vázquez ◽  
M A Jiménez-Clavero ◽  
L Franco ◽  
O Donoso-Mantke ◽  
V Sambri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Culex Pipiens ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Usutu Virus ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Culex Pipiens Complex ◽  
Avian Virus ◽  
Vector Borne

Usutu virus (USUV) is an African mosquito-borne flavivirus, member of the Japanese encephalitis antigenic group. This avian virus is transmitted by arthropod vectors (mainly mosquitoes of the Culex pipiens complex). It is well known that free-living birds, including migratory species, have the potential to disperse certain pathogenic microorganisms. Usutu virus has recently been introduced to Europe and is spreading through Austria, Hungary, Italy, Spain and Switzerland, causing disease in birds and humans. Like West Nile virus, USUV may become a resident pathogen in Europe and the consequences for public health should be considered. Many different biotic and abiotic factors affect the survival of the virus in a new environment and influence the efficiency of its geographical dispersal. In this article, we consider the possibility of including USUV infections among the vector-borne diseases to be monitored in Europe.

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