bims-mosdis Biomed News
on Mosquito distribution and disease
Issue of 2023–01–22
nineteen papers selected by
Richard Halfpenny, Staffordshire University
  1. Invasive mosquito vectors in Europe: from bioecology to surveillance and management.
  2. NEW STATE RECORD FOR CULEX REJECTOR AND CX. RESTRICTOR IN YUCATAN, MEXICO.
  3. Invasive Aedes japonicus Mosquitoes Dominate the Aedes Fauna Collected with Gravid Traps in Wooster, Northeastern Ohio, USA.
  4. Prevalence of Mosquito Populations in the Caribbean Region of Colombia with Important Public Health Implications.
  5. Investigation on Mosquitoes Fauna (Diptera: Culicidae) and Probable Vector of West Nile Virus in Lorestan Province, Western Iran.
  6. Entomological Surveillance Activities in Regions in Greece: Data on Mosquito Species Abundance and West Nile Virus Detection in Culex pipiens Pools (2019-2020).
  7. Linking Mathematical Models and Trap Data to Infer the Proliferation, Abundance, and Control of Aedes aegypti.
  8. Determinants of exposure to Aedes mosquitoes: a comprehensive geospatial analysis in peri-urban Cambodia.
  9. Measuring entomological parameters before implementing a study on asymptomatic carriers of Plasmodium falciparum in the Zè District in southern Benin.
  10. Aedes albopictus (Skuse) dispersion in Havana City, Cuba, 1995-2018.
  11. Insecticide Resistance in the West Nile Encephalitis, Japanese Encephalitis, Avian Malaria and Lymphatic Elephantiasis Vector, Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Iran.
  12. Increasing Dengue Burden and Severe Dengue Risk in Bangladesh: An Overview.
  13. Global Distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in a Climate Change Scenario of Regional Rivalry.
  14. The Risk of Emerging of Dengue Fever in Romania, in the Context of Global Warming.
  15. FIRST RECORDS OF AEDEOMYIA SQUAMIPENNIS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, USA.
  16. Linkages between malaria and malnutrition in co-endemic regions of India.
  17. Closing the gap to effective gene drive in Aedes aegypti by exploiting germline regulatory elements.
  18. Community Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Viral Diseases in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  19. Population Genetics of Anopheles pretoriensis in Grande Comore Island.
  1. Acta Trop. 2023 Jan 12. pii: S0001-706X(23)00019-0. [Epub ahead of print] 106832
    Invasive mosquito vectors in Europe: from bioecology to surveillance and management.
    Giulia Giunti, Norbert Becker, Giovanni Benelli.
      Invasive mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) play a key role in the spread of a number of mosquito-borne diseases worldwide. Anthropogenic changes play a significant role in affecting their distribution. Invasive mosquitoes usually take advantage from biotic homogenization and from biodiversity reduction, therefore expanding in their distribution range and abundance. In Europe, climate warming and the increasing urbanization are boosting the spread of several mosquito species of high public health importance. The present article contains a literature review focused on the biology and ecology of Aedes albopictus, Ae. aegypti, Ae. japonicus, Ae. koreicus, Ae. atropalpus and Ae. triseriatus, outlining their distribution and public health relevance in Europe. Bioecology insights were tightly connected with vector surveillance and control programs targeting these species. In the final section, a research agenda aiming for the effective and sustainable monitoring and control of invasive mosquitoes in the framework of Integrated Vector Management and One Health is presented. The WHO Vector Control Advisory Group recommends priority should be given to vector control tools with proven epidemiological impact.
    Keywords:  Aedes aegypti; Aedes albopictus; Aedes atropalpus, Aedes triseriatus; Aedes japonicus japonicus; Aedes koreicus; Integrated Vector Management; behaviour-based control; insecticide; mosquito bio-ecology; mosquito-borne diseases; vector competence
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106832
  2. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2023 Jan 19.
    NEW STATE RECORD FOR CULEX REJECTOR AND CX. RESTRICTOR IN YUCATAN, MEXICO.
    Julio C Tzuc-Dzul, Jesus E Azcorra-Couoh, Wilbert A Chi-Chim, Nohemi Cigarroa-Toledo, Elsy Nalleli Loria-Cervera, Julian E Garcia-Rejon, Carlos M Baak-Baak.
      Several known mosquito species occur in the Mexican state of Yucatan, including competent and suspected vectors responsible for transmitting zoonotic arboviruses. Between February and July 2022, mosquito collections were carried out in several forested areas in Yucatan. As part of the ongoing monitoring, we present the first reports of Culex (Microculex) rejector and Cx. (Anoedioporpa) restrictor. Another 14 species were identified during the monitoring: Aedes albopictus, Ae. bimaculatus, Ae. tormentor, Ae. cozumelensis, Anopheles albimanus, Cx. coronator s.l., Cx. erraticus, Cx. lactator, Cx. salinarius, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Limatus durhamii, Psorophora ciliata, Toxorhynchites theobaldi, and Wyeomyia mitchellii. Currently, the mosquito fauna in Yucatan consists of 65 species. The subgenera Microculex and Anoedioporpa had not been documented in Yucatan State prior to the current investigation.
    Keywords:   Anoedioporpa ; Microculex ; first record; mosquito fauna; mosquito update
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2987/22-7098
  3. Insects. 2023 Jan 06. pii: 56. [Epub ahead of print]14(1):
    Invasive Aedes japonicus Mosquitoes Dominate the Aedes Fauna Collected with Gravid Traps in Wooster, Northeastern Ohio, USA.
    Ferdinand Nanfack-Minkeu, Alexander Delong, Moses Luri, Jelmer W Poelstra.
      Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae), or the Asian rock pool mosquito, is an invasive mosquito in Europe and America. It was first detected outside of Asia in 1990 in Oceania. It has since expanded to North America and Europe in 1998 and 2000, respectively. Even though it is classified as a secondary vector of pathogens, it is competent to several arboviruses and filarial worms, and it is contributing to the transmission of La Crosse virus (LACV) and West Nile virus (WNV). In this study, CDC light, BG-sentinel, and gravid traps were used to collect mosquitoes between June and October 2021, in Wooster, Northeastern Ohio, USA. Morphological identification or/and Sanger sequencing were performed to identify the collected mosquitoes. Our results revealed that (adult) Ae. japonicus mosquitoes were the most abundant mosquito species collected with gravid traps in Wooster in 2021, confirming its establishment in Ohio. Molecular analyses of Ae. japonicus showed 100% nucleotide similarity with Ae. japonicus collected in Iowa (USA) and Canada, suggesting multiple introductions. Its presence may increase the risk of future arbovirus outbreaks in Wooster, Ohio. This study stresses the importance of actively monitoring the density and distribution of all members of the Ae. japonicus complex.
    Keywords:  Aedes japonicus; Wooster; mosquitoes; surveillance
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010056
  4. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2022 Dec 25. pii: 11. [Epub ahead of print]8(1):
    Prevalence of Mosquito Populations in the Caribbean Region of Colombia with Important Public Health Implications.
    Eder Cano-Pérez, Martha González-Beltrán, Julia S Ampuero, Doris Gómez-Camargo, Amy C Morrison, Helvio Astete.
      Mosquito studies are important for understanding their role in the transmission of pathogens including arboviruses, parasites, and protozoa. This study characterized the prevalence of Culicidae fauna in rural and peri-urban areas with human populations in the Colombian Caribbean region to establish the risk of transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens. From 2016 to 2017, adult mosquitos were collected in Turbaco (Bolívar), Sabanalarga (Atlántico) and Pueblo Bello (Cesar). The collections in rural areas were in the forest fragments using CDC, Shannon, and human bait traps. In peri-urban areas, Prokopack aspirator collections were used inside households. Entomological and ecological indicators were also calculated. A total of 11,566 mosquito specimens, from 13 genera and 63 species, were collected. The forests fragments of Sabanalarga and Turbaco had the highest species abundance and richness. Turbaco had the highest adult Aedes aegypti index. Arbovirus vectors were among the identified species, including Ae. aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, Haemagogus janthinomys, Sabethes chloropterus, Aedes angustivittatus, Mansonia titillans, Coquillettidia venezuelensis and the subgenera Culex Melanoconion. Overall, the diversity and abundance of mosquitoes present in these municipalities establish a potential disease transmission risk by these vectors.
    Keywords:  Aedes; Caribbean region; Colombia; Culex; Culicidae; arbovirus infections
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8010011
  5. J Arthropod Borne Dis. 2021 Dec;15(4): 397-404
    Investigation on Mosquitoes Fauna (Diptera: Culicidae) and Probable Vector of West Nile Virus in Lorestan Province, Western Iran.
    Seyed Hassan Moosa-Kazemi, Yadollah Etemadi, Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat, Hassan Vatandoost, Hamid Mokhayeri, Mohammad Hassan Kayedi.
       Background: Fauna and larval habitat characteristics studies on mosquitoes are important tools to identify the breeding places of the vectors and management of the control strategies. This study was done to provide data on Culicidae fauna, larval habitat characteristics and identifying potential vectors of West Nile virus in Lorestan Province, west of Iran.
    Methods: Culicidae mosquitoes were collected at three counties and nine site stations from Lorestan Province, west of Iran in 2017. Adult mosquitoes were collected using human and animal bite collection methods, New Jersey and CDC light traps and pit shelters by aspirator. Larva were collected by dipping method. RT-PCR technique was employed for detection of the West Nile virus among mosquito's samples.
    Results: 4805 mosquitoes were collected from three counties and nine sites in Lorestan Province during June-October 2017, including 4363 adults and 442 larvae. The most abundant species collected from all counties in both adult and larval stages were Culex pipiens (49.10%), Cx. theileri (31.82%), Anopheles maculipennis (11.09%), An. superpictus (2.66%), An. stephensi (2.12%), Cx. perexiguus (1.89%), An. dthali (1.17%) and An. sacharovi (0.15%) respectively. West Nile virus was detected in none of mosquitoes examined.
    Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that arbovirus vectors such as Cx. pipiens along with Cx. theileri and Cx. perexiguus are well adapted to a broad range of habitats and different climatic conditions in Lorestan Province. That necessitates further routine surveillance of arboviral infections.
    Keywords:  Anopheles; Arboviruses; Culex; Habitat; West Nile
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v15i4.10504
  6. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2022 Dec 20. pii: 1. [Epub ahead of print]8(1):
    Entomological Surveillance Activities in Regions in Greece: Data on Mosquito Species Abundance and West Nile Virus Detection in Culex pipiens Pools (2019-2020).
    Annita Vakali, Stavroula Beleri, Nikolaos Tegos, Anastasia Fytrou, Anastasia Mpimpa, Theodoros N Sergentanis, Danai Pervanidou, Eleni Patsoula.
      Human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infections have been recorded in Greece since 2010, with seasonal outbreaks (summer-autumn) on an almost annual basis, caused mainly by the WNV lineage 2 strain (Nea Santa-Greece-2010). National Public Health Organization (NPHO) in Greece is annually implementing enhanced surveillance of human WNV infection, in order to promptly identify human cases of WNV infection and monitor distribution in terms of time and place. Entomological surveillance activities were carried out on a national basis in 2019 and 2020, under NPHO coordination and the collaboration of several private subcontractors, along with the Unit of Medical Entomology, Laboratory for Surveillance of Infectious Diseases (LSID). The aim was to monitor mosquito species composition, abundance, and WNV circulation in mosquito pools of Culex pipiens s.l. species. Adult mosquito traps were placed in selected sites; collected samples were morphologically characterized and pooled by date of collection, location, and species types. Female Culex pipiens s.l. pools were tested for WNV and WNV infection rates (MIR and MLE) were estimated. Highest mean number of female Culex pipiens s.l. species was recorded in Central Macedonia both for 2019 and 2020. Six hundred and fifty-nine mosquito pools (147 in 2019 and 512 in 2020) of female Culex pipiens s.l. were examined for WNV presence. The highest MLE was detected in Western Macedonia in 2019 and in Thessaly in 2020. Here, we present data on the mosquito species composition in the studied areas and WNV detection in mosquitoes from areas in Greece where the specific national mosquito surveillance program was implemented, for two years, 2019 and 2020.
    Keywords:  Culex pipiens; Greece; West Nile virus; entomological surveillance; mosquitoes
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8010001
  7. Acta Trop. 2023 Jan 16. pii: S0001-706X(23)00024-4. [Epub ahead of print] 106837
    Linking Mathematical Models and Trap Data to Infer the Proliferation, Abundance, and Control of Aedes aegypti.
    Jing Chen, Xi Huo, André B B Wilke, John C Beier, Chalmers Vasquez, William Petrie, Robert Stephen Cantrell, Chris Cosner, Shigui Ruan.
      Aedes aegypti is one of the most dominant mosquito species in the urban areas of Miami-Dade County, Florida, and is responsible for the local arbovirus transmissions. Since August 2016, mosquito traps have been placed throughout the county to improve surveillance and guide mosquito control and arbovirus outbreak response. In this paper, we develop a deterministic mosquito population model, estimate model parameters by using local entomological and temperature data, and use the model to calibrate the mosquito trap data from 2017 to 2019. We further use the model to compare the Ae. aegypti population and evaluate the impact of rainfall intensity in different urban built environments. Our results show that rainfall affects the breeding sites and the abundance of Ae. aegypti more significantly in tourist areas than in residential places. In addition, we apply the model to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of vector control strategies in Miami-Dade County.
    Keywords:  Aedes aegypti; mathematical modeling; mosquito control; population dynamics; vector-borne disease
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106837
  8. Acta Trop. 2023 Jan 14. pii: S0001-706X(23)00016-5. [Epub ahead of print] 106829
    Determinants of exposure to Aedes mosquitoes: a comprehensive geospatial analysis in peri-urban Cambodia.
    Daniel M Parker, Catalina Medina, Jennifer Bohl, Chanthap Lon, Sophana Chea, Sreyngim Lay, Dara Kong, Sreynik Nhek, Somnang Man, Johannes S P Doehl, Rithea Leang, Hok Kry, Huy Rekol, Fabiano Oliveira, Volodymyr M Minin, Jessica E Manning.
      Aedes mosquitoes are some of the most important and globally expansive vectors of disease. Public health efforts are largely focused on prevention of human-vector contact. A range of entomological indices are used to measure risk of disease, though with conflicting results (i.e. larval or adult abundance does not always predict risk of disease). There is a growing interest in the development and use of biomarkers for exposure to mosquito saliva, including for Aedes spp, as a proxy for disease risk. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive geostatistical analysis of exposure to Aedes mosquito bites among a pediatric cohort in a peri-urban setting endemic to dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses. We use demographic, household, and environmental variables (the flooding index (NFI), land type, and proximity to a river) in a Bayesian geostatistical model to predict areas of exposure to Aedes aegypti bites. We found that hotspots of exposure to Ae. aegypti salivary gland extract (SGE) were relatively small (< 500m and sometimes < 250m) and stable across the two-year study period. Age was negatively associated with antibody responses to Ae. aegypti SGE. Those living in agricultural settings had lower antibody responses than those living in urban settings, whereas those living near recent surface water accumulation were more likely to have higher antibody responses. Finally, we incorporated measures of larval and adult density in our geostatistical models and found that they did not show associations with antibody responses to Ae. aegypti SGE after controlling for other covariates in the model. Our results indicate that targeted house- or neighborhood-focused interventions may be appropriate for vector control in this setting. Further, demographic and environmental factors more capably predicted exposure to Ae. aegypti mosquitoes than commonly used entomological indices.
    Keywords:  Aedes; Zika; chikungunya; dengue fever; environmental; geostatistical; saliva
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106829
  9. Malar J. 2023 Jan 21. 22(1): 24
    Measuring entomological parameters before implementing a study on asymptomatic carriers of Plasmodium falciparum in the Zè District in southern Benin.
    Aziz Bouraima, Armel Djènontin, Yannelle Dossou, Lenucthadius Houessou, Christophe Soares, Montchédé Anato, Boris-Enock Zinsou, Célia Dechavanne, Jerome Clain, Achille Massougbodji, Gilles Cottrell.
       BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to estimate malaria transmission and insecticide resistance status in malaria vectors in Adjrako village from Zè District in Southern Benin. The present study was carried out prior to investigations on infectivity of blood from asymptomatic carriers of Plasmodium falciparum to malaria vector mosquitoes.
    METHODS: Human landing collections (HLCs) were performed in Adjrako village during the rainy season (September-November 2021). In this village, host-seeking mosquitoes were collected during three nights per survey from 22:00 to 06:00 in six randomly selected houses. Malaria vectors were dissected in orders to determinate their parity. Plasmodium falciparum infection in malaria vectors was determined by qPCR and the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) was calculated. The World Health Organization (WHO) insecticide susceptibility test-kits were used to evaluate the susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) to deltamethrin at 0.05% and bendiocarb at 0.1%.
    RESULTS: A total of 3260 females of mosquitoes belonging to 4 genera (Anopheles, Culex, Aedes and Mansonia) were collected. Most of the mosquitoes collected were An. gambiae sensu lato (s.l.). The entomological inoculation rate (EIR) for the three collection months was 8.7 infective bites per person and the parity rate was 84%. Mortality rates of An. gambiae s.l. exposed to 0.05% deltamethrin and 0.1% bendiocarb were 18% and 96%, respectively, indicating that this vector population was resistant to deltamethrin and possibly resistant to bendiocarb in the study area.
    CONCLUSION: This study showed that malaria transmission is effective in the study area and that An. gambiae s.l. is the main malaria vector. The entomological parameters indicate this study area is potentially favourable for investigations on P. falciparum asymptomatic carriers.
    Keywords:  Anopheles gambiae; Insecticide resistance; Malaria; Transmission; Zè District
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04450-4
  10. Acta Trop. 2023 Jan 17. pii: S0001-706X(23)00026-8. [Epub ahead of print] 106839
    Aedes albopictus (Skuse) dispersion in Havana City, Cuba, 1995-2018.
    María Del Carmen Marquetti, Magaly Castillo, Iris Peraza, Maricely Milian, Roberto Molina, Maureen Leyva, Juan A Bisset, Veerle Vanlerberghe.
      Various arboviruses are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two invasive and frequently sympatric species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the dispersion and the behavior of Ae. albopictus in relation to houses and its association with other mosquitoes in the province of Havana, Cuba. All water-containing deposits in the houses or vacant lots in urban and peri-urban municipalities of the province of Havana were sampled during the two study periods: 1995-1999 and 2010-2018. The following patterns in the presence of Ae. albopictus in the study area were observed: a persistent absence of Ae. albopictus in one of the municipalities; a rapid dispersion in the second period, staring from the absence of vector in the first period, in tow other municipalities; and a sustained decrease in the dispersion of Ae.albopictus in two other municipalities. The peripheral municipalities noted the highest presence of Ae. albopictus, but few associations with other mosquitoes. However, overall, we found an increase in this association when comparing the period 2010-2018 with the first period. Ae. albopictus was present in 8% (2016) to 21.5% (2013) inside the houses with an average of 15%, which evidences an initial domiciliation of the species. The results obtained in this work show an initiation of domiciliation of Ae. albopictus in the urban area of the province of Havana. This is important to alert the National Control Program to strengthen the entomological monitoring of Ae. albopictus, and not only Ae. aegypti. The follow-up of this domiciliation is important to guide control efforts, knowing its role as a vector of different arboviruses.
    Keywords:  Aedes albopictus; Cuba; association with other culicids; dispersion; domiciliation
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106839
  11. J Arthropod Borne Dis. 2021 Dec;15(4): 349-357
    Insecticide Resistance in the West Nile Encephalitis, Japanese Encephalitis, Avian Malaria and Lymphatic Elephantiasis Vector, Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in Iran.
    Amrollah Azarm, Mohammad Nasrabadi, Fatemeh Shahidi, Awat Dehghan, Fateme Nikpoor, Alireza Zahraie-Ramazani, Seyede Maryam Molaeezadeh, Faramarz Bozorgomid, Ghazal Tashakori, Hassan Vatandoost.
       Background: Culex pipiens complex is considered as a vector of some important diseases such as West Nile fever, equine encephalitis, Rift valley fever, St. Louis encephalitis, Elephanthiasis and avian malaria in the world. The main measure for vector control is using insecticides. High use of insecticides caused resistance in the populations. The aim of this study was to review the status of insecticide resistance in the vector.
    Methods: Insecticide resistance in this species was found by the available papers and map of the data for carbamates, organochlorine, organophosphates, pyrethroids, microbial and insect growth regulator insecticides were done. An intensive search of scientific literature was done in "PubMed", "Web of Knowledge", "Scopus", "Google Scholar", "SID", and related resources.
    Results: Results showed that a wide variety of resistance to different insecticides in the country. Due to importance of this species in transmission of diseases.
    Discussion: resistance management strategies should be further considered to prevent from in secticide resistance and replacement of novel approach for vector control.
    Keywords:  Culex pipiens complex; Insecticide; Resistance; Vector
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v15i4.10499
  12. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2023 Jan 03. pii: 32. [Epub ahead of print]8(1):
    Increasing Dengue Burden and Severe Dengue Risk in Bangladesh: An Overview.
    Mohammad Enamul Hoque Kayesh, Ibrahim Khalil, Michinori Kohara, Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara.
      Dengue is a prevalent and rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease affecting humans. The geographic range of dengue is expanding, and much like in many other tropical regions of the world, dengue has become a major public health issue in Bangladesh. Until a large epidemic dengue outbreak in 2000, sporadic outbreaks have occurred in Bangladesh since 1964. After 2000, varying intensities of dengue activity were observed each year until 2018. However, in 2019, Bangladesh experienced the largest dengue epidemic in its history, with 101,354 dengue cases and 164 dengue-related deaths. Notably, this outbreak occurred in many regions that were previously considered free of the disease. As of 10 December 2022, a total of 60,078 dengue cases and 266 dengue-related deaths were reported in Bangladesh, with the 2022 outbreak being the second largest since 2000. There is an increased genetic diversity of the dengue virus (DENV) in Bangladesh and all four DENV serotypes are prevalent and co-circulating, which increases the risk for severe dengue owing to the antibody-dependent enhancement effect. Vector control remains the mainstay of dengue outbreak prevention; however, the vector control programs adopted in Bangladesh seem inadequate, requiring improved vector control strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the epidemiology of DENV infection and the risks for a severe dengue outbreak in Bangladesh. Additionally, we discuss different dengue vector control strategies, from which the most suitable and effective measures can be applied in the context of Bangladesh for tackling future dengue epidemics.
    Keywords:  challenges; dengue; dengue virus; epidemiology; remedies; vector control
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8010032
  13. Insects. 2023 Jan 03. pii: 49. [Epub ahead of print]14(1):
    Global Distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in a Climate Change Scenario of Regional Rivalry.
    Gabriel Z Laporta, Alexander M Potter, Janeide F A Oliveira, Brian P Bourke, David B Pecor, Yvonne-Marie Linton.
      Arboviral mosquito vectors are key targets for the surveillance and control of vector-borne diseases worldwide. In recent years, changes to the global distributions of these species have been a major research focus, aimed at predicting outbreaks of arboviral diseases. In this study, we analyzed a global scenario of climate change under regional rivalry to predict changes to these species' distributions over the next century. Using occurrence data from VectorMap and environmental variables (temperature and precipitation) from WorldClim v. 2.1, we first built fundamental niche models for both species with the boosted regression tree modelling approach. A scenario of climate change on their fundamental niche was then analyzed. The shared socioeconomic pathway scenario 3 (regional rivalry) and the global climate model Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Earth System Model v. 4.1 (GFDL-ESM4.1; gfdl.noaa.gov) were utilized for all analyses, in the following time periods: 2021-2040, 2041-2060, 2061-2080, and 2081-2100. Outcomes from these analyses showed that future climate change will affect Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus distributions in different ways across the globe. The Northern Hemisphere will have extended Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus distributions in future climate change scenarios, whereas the Southern Hemisphere will have the opposite outcomes. Europe will become more suitable for both species and their related vector-borne diseases. Loss of suitability in the Brazilian Amazon region further indicated that this tropical rainforest biome will have lower levels of precipitation to support these species in the future. Our models provide possible future scenarios to help identify locations for resource allocation and surveillance efforts before a significant threat to human health emerges.
    Keywords:  Aedes; climate change; climate models; environmental indicators; forecasting; risk factors; statistical model
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010049
  14. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2023 Jan 15. pii: 65. [Epub ahead of print]8(1):
    The Risk of Emerging of Dengue Fever in Romania, in the Context of Global Warming.
    Larisa Maria Ivanescu, Ilie Bodale, Smaranda Grigore-Hristodorescu, Gabriela Martinescu, Bianca Andronic, Simona Matiut, Doina Azoicai, Liviu Miron.
      (1) Background: Few studies to date have assessed the influences induced by climate change on the spatial distribution and population abundance of Aedes albopictus using the latest climate scenarios. In this study, we updated the current distribution of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes and evaluated the changes in their distribution under future climate conditions, as well as the risk of dengue virus emergence in Romania. (2) Methods: Under the two scenarios: High scenario (HS) when no drastic measures to reduce the effects of global warming will be taken, or they are not effective and low scenario (LS) when very stringent greenhouse control measures will be implemented. (3) Results: The results estimate an increase in temperatures in Romania of up to 2.6 °C in HS and up to 0.4 °C in LS, with an increase in the period of virus replication within the vector from June to October in HS and from May to September in LS. Moreover, in 2022, Ae. albopictus was reported in a new county, where it was not identified at the last monitoring in 2020. (4) Conclusions: The rapid spread of this invasive species and the need to implement monitoring and control programs for the Aedes population in Romania are emphasized.
    Keywords:  Aedes albopictus; bioclimatic indices; climate conditions; dengue risk in Europe; spatial distribution
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8010065
  15. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2023 Jan 19.
    FIRST RECORDS OF AEDEOMYIA SQUAMIPENNIS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, USA.
    Steven Fazekas, David Livoti, Lawrence Reeves.
      Continuous surveillance, trained personnel, and coordination with other agencies are critical elements of effective nuisance and vector mosquito control. Palm Beach County Mosquito Control, FL, has used routine surveillance to make control decisions and note changes in mosquito populations since the 1940s. In the fall and winter of 2021-2022, Palm Beach County Mosquito Control's surveillance program detected the presence of Aedeomyia squamipennis. This represented the first collection of specimens of Ad. squamipennis in Palm Beach County and the second finding of this species beyond the initial site of detection in Miami-Dade County, FL. Identity was confirmed by morphology and DNA sequencing. Sequenced Ad. squamipennis specimens collected in Palm Beach County were identical (100% sequence similarity) to specimens collected and sequenced from Homestead, Miami-Dade County in 2016. It is suspected that Ad. squamipennis has expanded its range northward from Miami-Dade County into Palm Beach County, a distance of approximately 140 km.
    Keywords:   Aedeomyia squamipennis ; distribution expansion; invasive species; new record
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2987/22-7097
  16. BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Jan;pii: e010781. [Epub ahead of print]8(1):
    Linkages between malaria and malnutrition in co-endemic regions of India.
    Chander Prakash Yadav, Syed Shah Areeb Hussain, Shweta Pasi, Shweta Sharma, Praveen K Bharti, Manju Rahi, Amit Sharma.
       INTRODUCTION: Malaria and malnutrition are key public health challenges in India. However, the relationship between them is poorly understood. Here, we aimed to elucidate the potential interactions between the two health conditions by identifying the areas of their spatial overlap.
    METHODS: We have analysed the district-wise undernutrition and malaria data of 638 districts of India across 28 states and 8 union territories. Data on malnutrition parameters viz. stunting, wasting, underweight and anaemia, sourced from the fourth National Family Health Survey (2015-2016), and malaria Annual Parasite Index (API) data of the same year (i.e, 2015), sourced from National Center of Vector Borne Diseases Control were analysed using local Moran's I Index and logistic regression.
    RESULTS: Among all the malnutrition parameters, we found underweight in children and anaemia in men to co-occur with malaria in the districts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. Further, districts with more than 36% underweight children (OR (95% CI): 2.31 (1.53 to 3.48)) and/or more than 23.6% male population with anaemia (OR (95% CI): 2.06 (1.37 to 3.11)) had higher odds of being malaria endemic districts (ie, Annual Parasite Index >1).
    CONCLUSION: Malaria and malnutrition co-occur in the malaria-endemic parts of India. The high prevalence of undernutrition in children and anaemia among men may contribute to malaria endemicity in a particular region. Therefore, future research should be prioritised to generate data on the individual level. Further, malaria control interventions could be tailored to integrate nutrition programmes to disrupt indigenous malaria transmission in endemic districts.
    Keywords:  malaria; nutrition
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010781
  17. Nat Commun. 2023 Jan 20. 14(1): 338
    Closing the gap to effective gene drive in Aedes aegypti by exploiting germline regulatory elements.
    Michelle A E Anderson, Estela Gonzalez, Joshua X D Ang, Lewis Shackleford, Katherine Nevard, Sebald A N Verkuijl, Matthew P Edgington, Tim Harvey-Samuel, Luke Alphey.
      CRISPR/Cas9-based homing gene drives have emerged as a potential new approach to mosquito control. While attempts have been made to develop such systems in Aedes aegypti, none have been able to match the high drive efficiency observed in Anopheles species. Here we generate Ae. aegypti transgenic lines expressing Cas9 using germline-specific regulatory elements and assess their ability to bias inheritance of an sgRNA-expressing element (kmosgRNAs). Four shu-Cas9 and one sds3-Cas9 isolines can significantly bias the inheritance of kmosgRNAs, with sds3G1-Cas9 causing the highest average inheritance of ~86% and ~94% from males and females carrying both elements outcrossed to wild-type, respectively. Our mathematical model demonstrates that sds3G1-Cas9 could enable the spread of the kmosgRNAs element to either reach a higher (by ~15 percentage point) maximum carrier frequency or to achieve similar maximum carrier frequency faster (by 12 generations) when compared to two other established split drive systems.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36029-7
  18. Epidemiologia (Basel). 2022 Dec 30. 4(1): 1-17
    Community Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Viral Diseases in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    Kennedy M Mbanzulu, Leonard E G Mboera, Roger Wumba, Josué K Zanga, Flory K Luzolo, Gerald Misinzo, Sharadhuli I Kimera.
       BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mosquito-borne viral diseases (MBVDs) create a dramatic health situation worldwide. There is a need to improve the understanding of factors to be addressed in intervention programmes. This study explored community knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding MBVD in Kinshasa.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between January and April 2019. The socio-demographic and KAP data collected through a questionnaire were analysed using Epi Info 7.
    RESULTS: The study included 1464 male and female respondents aged from 18 to 70 years old. Open garbage cans and outdoor water storage units were found in 61.2% and 33.4% of respondent residences, respectively. Polluted water bodies (80.3%) were the most mentioned as mosquito breeding places. Among 86.6% of the respondents that had heard about yellow fever, 12% knew that it is an MBVD. The majority of respondents (72.5%) were perceived to be at risk of contracting MBVD. Environment sanitation (58%) and insecticide use (25%) were among the measures implemented to control mosquitoes. The greater overall knowledge score and attitude were not associated with good practice.
    CONCLUSION: The residents of Kinshasa had limited knowledge of MBVD. Raising awareness and educational sessions are essential in empowering the community regarding the correct attitudes and practices to effectively manage the risk posed by MBVD.
    Keywords:  Democratic Republic of the Congo; attitude; knowledge; mosquito-borne viruses; mosquitoes; practices
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia4010001
  19. Insects. 2022 Dec 23. pii: 14. [Epub ahead of print]14(1):
    Population Genetics of Anopheles pretoriensis in Grande Comore Island.
    Melina Campos, Nikita Patel, Carly Marshall, Hans Gripkey, Robert E Ditter, Marc W Crepeau, Ali Toilibou, Yssouf Amina, Anthony J Cornel, Yoosook Lee, Gregory C Lanzaro.
      Anopheles pretoriensis is widely distributed across Africa, including on oceanic islands such as Grande Comore in the Comoros. This species is known to be mostly zoophylic and therefore considered to have low impact on the transmission of human malaria. However, A. pretoriensis has been found infected with Plasmodium, suggesting that it may be epidemiologically important. In the present study, we sequenced and assembled the complete mitogenome of A. pretoriensis and inferred its phylogenetic relationship among other species in the subgenus Cellia. We also investigated the genetic structure of A. pretoriensis populations on Grande Comore Island, and between this island population and sites in continental Africa, using partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Seven haplotypes were found on the island, one of which was ubiquitous. There was no clear divergence between island haplotypes and those found on the continent. The present work contributes knowledge on this understudied, yet abundant, Anopheles species.
    Keywords:  island biogeography; malaria; population genetics; secondary vector
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010014
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