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1.
Acta Trop ; 213: 105739, 2021 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33159899

ABSTRACT

Routine biosurveillance efforts at the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on 18 June 2019, detected two unusual mosquitos in a CO2-baited CDC light trap. Morphological and molecular analysis confirmed the presence of Aedes (Fredwardsius) vittatus (Bigot, 1861) - the first record of the Old World dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever virus vector into the Americas - and provides evidence for its establishment in Cuba. Newly submitted GenBank sequences from Dominican Republic further evidence its establishment in the Caribbean, and a median-joining network analysis using mitochondrial COI gene sequences clearly supports multiple introductions of Ae. vittatus into the Caribbean from the Indian subcontinent. It was determined that many Ae. vittatus COI barcode sequences in GenBank are currently misidentified as Aedes (Fredwardsius) cogilli Edwards, 1922.


Subject(s)
Aedes , Mosquito Vectors , Aedes/anatomy & histology , Aedes/genetics , Aedes/virology , Animals , Arbovirus Infections/transmission , Arboviruses , Cuba , Dominican Republic , Humans , India , Introduced Species , Mosquito Vectors/genetics , Mosquito Vectors/virology
2.
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis ; 19(9): 652-657, 2019 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30942664

ABSTRACT

Dermacentor variabilis, a common human-biting tick found throughout the eastern half and along the west coast of the United States, is a vector of multiple bacterial pathogens. Historically, D. variabilis has been considered a primary vector of Rickettsia rickettsii, the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. A total of 883 adult D. variabilis, collected between 2012 and 2017 from various locations in 12 states across the United States, were screened for rickettsial DNA. Tick extracts were evaluated using three real-time PCR assays; an R. rickettsii-specific assay, a Rickettsia bellii-specific assay, and a Rickettsia genus-specific assay. Sequencing of ompA gene amplicons generated using a seminested PCR assay was used to determine the rickettsial species present in positive samples not already identified by species-specific real-time assays. A total of 87 (9.9%) tick extracts contained R. bellii DNA and 203 (23%) contained DNA of other rickettsial species, including 47 (5.3%) with Rickettsia montanensis, 11 (1.2%) with Rickettsia amblyommatis, 2 (0.2%) with Rickettsia rhipicephali, and 3 (0.3%) with Rickettsia parkeri. Only 1 (0.1%) tick extract contained DNA of R. rickettsii. These data support multiple other contemporary studies that indicate infrequent detection of R. rickettsii in D. variabilis in North America.


Subject(s)
Dermacentor/microbiology , Rickettsia/genetics , Rickettsia/isolation & purification , Animals , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , United States
3.
Ticks Tick Borne Dis ; 6(4): 435-8, 2015 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25920376

ABSTRACT

Ticks are the most significant vectors of infectious diseases in the United States, inspiring many researchers to study aspects of their biology, ecology, and their effects on public health. However, regional differences in tick abundance and pathogen infection prevalence result in the inability to assume results from one area are relevant in another. Current local information on tick ranges, infection rates, and human cases is needed to assess tick-borne disease risk in any given region. The Mid-Atlantic Tick Summit III brought together over 100 area experts and researchers to share regional updates on ticks and their associated pathogens. We report some meeting highlights here. Regional meetings foster cross-disciplinary collaborations that benefit the community, and open novel lines of inquiry so that tick-bite risk can be reduced and tick-borne diseases can be treated effectively.


Subject(s)
Arachnid Vectors/physiology , Tick-Borne Diseases/transmission , Ticks/physiology , Animals , Humans , Information Dissemination , Mid-Atlantic Region , Public Health , Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology , Tick-Borne Diseases/parasitology
4.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 20(10): 1750-2, 2014 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25271771

ABSTRACT

We found that 14.3% (15/105) of Amblyomma maculatum and 3.3% (10/299) of Dermacentor variabilis ticks collected at 3 high-use military training sites in west-central Kentucky and northern Tennessee, USA, were infected with Rickettsia parkeri and Rickettsia montanensis, respectively. These findings warrant regional increased public health awareness for rickettsial pathogens and disease.


Subject(s)
Ixodidae/microbiology , Rickettsia/classification , Rickettsia/isolation & purification , Animals , Kentucky , Tennessee
5.
US Army Med Dep J ; : 11-20, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25074597

ABSTRACT

This report includes the distribution records of the Anopheles (Anopheles) Hyrcanus Group and associated species in Kyushu Island, Japan, based on our field collections from various localities of 4 prefectures (Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Saga), primarily from 2002-2013. The status of common and potential mosquito vectors, particularly Anopheles species, in Japan are noted.


Subject(s)
Anopheles , Biosurveillance , Insect Vectors , Animals , Anopheles/classification , Japan , Larva , Microbiological Techniques , Pupa
6.
Mil Med ; 173(7): 677-83, 2008 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18700603

ABSTRACT

The United States faces many existing and emerging mosquito-borne disease threats, such as West Nile virus and Rift Valley fever. An important component of strategic prevention and control plans for these and other mosquito-borne diseases is forecasting the distribution, timing, and abundance of mosquito vector populations. Populations of many medically important mosquito species are closely tied to climate, and historical climate-population associations may be used to predict future population dynamics. Using 2003-2005 U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine mosquito surveillance data, we looked at populations of several known mosquito vectors of West Nile virus, as well as possible mosquito vectors of Rift Valley fever virus, at continental U.S. military installations. We compared population changes with concurrent patterns for a satellite-derived index of climate (normalized difference vegetation index) and observed instances of population changes appearing to be direct responses to climate. These preliminary findings are important first steps in developing an automated, climate-driven, early warning system to flag regions of the United States at elevated risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission.


Subject(s)
Climate , Culicidae , Insect Vectors , Military Medicine , Military Personnel , Plants , Spacecraft , Animals , Female , Humans , Mosquito Control , Population Dynamics , Population Surveillance , Qualitative Research , Rain , Risk Factors , United States
7.
J Am Mosq Control Assoc ; 24(4): 583-4, 2008 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19181068

ABSTRACT

Aedes japonicus japonicus was collected via gravid trapping in Wisconsin in the summers of 2004 and 2005 at Fort McCoy, Monroe County. Subsequently, in the summer of 2007, Ae. japonicus was captured in a human landing catch in Dane County, Madison, WI. Additional collections were made at this site in the spring of 2008. Invasion is in progress, but significant population increases have not yet been confirmed.


Subject(s)
Aedes/physiology , Animal Migration , Animals , Biodiversity , Climate , Wisconsin
8.
Mil Med ; 171(9): 830-2, 2006 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17036600

ABSTRACT

Recent outbreaks of mysterious skin lesions on multiple personnel at several military facilities were initially blamed on spiders. Requests were made for pest inspection and control to remedy the situation. Greater scrutiny of the situation led to a hypothesis that instead of spiders, an infectious outbreak of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) should be investigated as the etiology. Subsequent culturing of the lesions on personnel at one facility confirmed this bacterial etiology. Barracks, as well as other close quarter military living conditions, are ripe environments for the establishment, persistence, and spread of CA-MRSA. Military medical personnel should consider CA-MRSA as a more likely etiologic agent than spider bites for cutaneous eruptions in which there are multiple lesions on one person or multiple patients with similar lesions.


Subject(s)
Community-Acquired Infections/diagnosis , Methicillin Resistance , Methicillin/pharmacology , Military Medicine , Spider Bites/diagnosis , Staphylococcal Skin Infections/diagnosis , Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Animals , Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy , Community-Acquired Infections/epidemiology , Diagnosis, Differential , Hospitals, Military , Humans , Military Personnel , Skin Diseases/diagnosis , Spider Bites/epidemiology , Staphylococcal Skin Infections/drug therapy , Staphylococcal Skin Infections/epidemiology , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , United States
9.
J Am Mosq Control Assoc ; 19(3): 190-8, 2003 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14524539

ABSTRACT

We used geospatial techniques to study the potential impact of 2 exotic mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus japonicus japonicus, on the epidemiology of West Nile virus in Maryland. These 2 species have established populations in Maryland over the past 15 years. Larvae of both mosquito species are found in natural and artificial water-holding cavities and containers, particularly water in tires. Therefore, we used locations of licensed tire dealers and of tire dumps scheduled for clean up as an index for potential sources of mosquito vectors. This index was expected to underestimate the actual population of source habitats. West Nile virus activity in Maryland during 1999, 2000, and 2001 was indicated by the presence of dead, infected birds, particularly American crows and other corvids; infected pools of mosquitoes; and human and horse infections. Adult females of both mosquito species are aggressive, opportunistic feeders that have been observed to take blood meals from avian and mammalian hosts. Susceptible vertebrate hosts, particularly birds, are ubiquitously distributed throughout the developed areas of the state. This analysis demonstrated a spatial convergence of the virus, the exotic mosquito vectors, and susceptible hosts. This conjunction indicated that these 2 mosquito species have a high potential to serve as bridge vectors and thus, impact the epidemiology of West Nile virus under favorable environmental and climatic conditions. Positive mosquito pools were collected from only the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan corridor, suggesting a newly created enzootic focus for this virus. Land-cover analysis of the sites where virus activity had been detected showed predominantly developed land uses. Analyses of the environmental justice aspects (social, economic, and housing characteristics) of block groups with human West Nile fever cases or with positive mosquito pools were equivocal. Human cases seemed to occur in developed block groups with lower income levels.


Subject(s)
Aedes/virology , Geographic Information Systems , Insect Vectors , West Nile Fever/epidemiology , West Nile virus/pathogenicity , Animals , Environment , Environmental Monitoring , Epidemiological Monitoring , Humans , Maryland/epidemiology , Population Dynamics
10.
J Med Entomol ; 39(3): 480-4, 2002 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12061444

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the potential for Ochlerotatus j. japonicus (Theobald), a newly recognized invasive mosquito species in the United States, to transmit eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Culex pipiens (L.) were similarly tested for comparison. Ochlerotatus j. japonicus and Ae. albopictus became infected and transmitted EEE virus by bite after feeding on young chickens 1 d after they had been inoculated with EEE virus (viremias ranging from 10(7.0-8.7) plaque-forming units [PFU]/ml of blood). No Cx. pipiens (n = 20) had detectable levels of virus 14 d after feeding on an EEE-virus infected chicken with a viremia of 10(8.1) PFU per ml of blood. Depending on the viral titer in the donor chicken, infection rates ranged from 55-100% for Oc. j. japonicus and 93-100% for Ae. albopictus. In these two species, dissemination rates were identical to or nearly identical to infection rates. Depending on the viral titer in the blood meal, estimated transmission rates ranged from 15 to 25% for Oc. j. japonicus and 59-63% for Ae. albopictus. Studies of replication of EEE virus in Oc. j. japonicus showed that there was an "eclipse phase" in the first 4 d after an infectious blood meal, that viral titers peak by day 7 at around 10(5.7) per mosquito, and that virus escaped the mid-gut as soon as 3 d after the infectious blood meal. These data, combined with the opportunistic feeding behavior of Oc. j. japonicus in Asia and the reported expansion of its range in the eastern United States, indicate that it could function as a bridge vector for EEE virus between the enzootic Culiseta melanura (Coquillett)-avian cycle and susceptible mammalian hosts.


Subject(s)
Culicidae/virology , Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine/physiology , Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine/transmission , Insect Vectors/virology , Aedes/virology , Animals , Chickens , Culex/virology , Disease Models, Animal , Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine/virology , Female , Virus Replication
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