Search Results (64)

Emerging infectious diseases such as chytridiomycosis and ranavirosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and ranavirus (RV), respectively, are major contributors to global amphibian declines. Despite their significance, comprehensive data on the spatial epidemiology of these pathogens in South Korea remain limited. This study aimed to assess the nationwide co-occurrence and prevalence of Bd and RV across four anuran species in five administrative regions. Infection rates were analyzed in relation to host species, sex, and life history stage. Results indicated distinct prevalence patterns driven by ecological traits. Bd was predominantly detected in mountainous and coastal habitats, whereas RV was more common in flat inland areas. Both pathogens exhibited peak occurrence in central regions, likely reflecting seasonal transmission dynamics rather than stable endemic hotspots. The observed spatial heterogeneity appears to be influenced by pathogen-specific thermal tolerance and host ecology. These findings underscore the importance of understanding host–pathogen–environment interactions for effective disease surveillance and management. Continuous monitoring and integrative ecological approaches are essential to mitigate pathogen-induced biodiversity loss and to inform amphibian conservation strategies in East Asia. Full article

Southeast Asia is a biodiversity hotspot for bats that can carry lyssaviruses, causing zoonotic diseases. This study detects and quantifies IgG antibodies against Lyssavirus glycoproteins in cave-dwelling bat populations on Cat Ba Island, northern Vietnam, to determine their past exposure history and the prevalence of immune responses. Samples were collected from five caves, encompassing three families and five key species (Hipposideros armiger, H. alongensis, H. poutensis, Taphozous melanopogon, and Myotis pilosus). Using ELISA with the Platelia™ Rabies II kit,(Bio-Rad Laboratories, Marnes-la-Coquette, France) 29.0% (18/62) of the bats tested positive, indicating prior exposure. The detection rate was slightly higher in females (35.7%) than in males (30.4%). Lyssavirus-specific antibodies were detected in four species, with the highest levels found in M. pilosus, followed by H. alongensis, H. armiger, and H. poutensis; no positives were found in T. melanopogon samples. One bat exhibited high seroconversion value (>4 EU/mL). The findings provide serological evidence of widespread lyssaviruses exposure in asymptomatic bats on Cat Ba Island, confirming their role as reservoirs that elicit an immune response without exhibiting rabies symptoms. This highlights the role of caves in facilitating close contact among bats, which may increase viral transmission, highlighting the need for continued surveillance in these unique roosting environments. Full article

Background: Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EIDs and Re-EIDs) cause significant economic crises and public health problems worldwide. Epidemics appear to be more frequent, complex, and harder to prevent. Early warning systems can significantly reduce outbreak response times, contributing to better patient outcomes. Improving early warning systems and methods might be one of the most effective responses. This study employs a bibliometric analysis to dissect the global research hotspots and evolutionary trends in the field of infectious disease early warning, with the aim of providing guidance for optimizing public health emergency management strategies. Methods: Publications related to the role of early warning systems in detecting and responding to infectious disease outbreaks from 1999 to 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. CiteSpace software was used to analyze the datasets and generate knowledge visualization maps. Results: A total of 798 relevant publications are included. The number of annual publications has sharply increased since 2000. The USA produced the highest number of publications and established the most extensive cooperation relationships. The Chinese Center for Disease Control & Prevention was the most productive institution. Drake, John M was the most prolific author, while the World Health Organization and AHMED W were the most cited authors. The top two cited references mainly focused on wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2. The most common keywords were “infectious disease”, “outbreak”, “transmission”, “virus”, and “climate change”. The basic keyword “climate” ranked the first and long duration with the strongest citation burst. “SARS-CoV-2”, “One Health”, “early warning system”, “artificial intelligence (AI)”, and “wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)” were emerging research foci. Conclusions: Over the past two decades, research on early warning of infectious diseases has focused on climate change, influenza, SARS, virus, machine learning, warning signals and systems, artificial intelligence, and so on. Current research hotspots include wastewater-based epidemiology, sewage, One Health, and artificial intelligence, as well as the early warning and monitoring of COVID-19. Research foci in this area have evolved from focusing on climate–disease interactions to pathogen monitoring systems, and ultimately to the “One Health” integrated framework. Our research findings underscore the imperative for public health policymakers to prioritize investments in real-time surveillance infrastructure, particularly wastewater-based epidemiology and AI-driven predictive models, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration frameworks under the One Health paradigm. Developing an integrated human–animal–environment monitoring system will serve as a critical development direction for early warning systems for epidemics. Full article

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma and transmitted through freshwater snails, affects over 200 million people worldwide. Climate change, through rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events, is influencing the distribution and transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis. This scoping review examines the impact of climate change on schistosomiasis transmission and its implications for disease control. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the influence of climate variables (temperature, rainfall, water bodies) on snail populations, transmission dynamics, and the shifting geographic range of schistosomiasis. It also explores the potential effects of climate adaptation policies on disease control. The review follows the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, including studies published from 2000 to 2024. Eligible studies were selected based on empirical data on climate change, schistosomiasis transmission, and snail dynamics. A two-stage study selection process was followed: title/abstract screening and full-text review. Data were extracted on environmental factors, snail population dynamics, transmission patterns, and climate adaptation strategies. Climate change is expected to increase schistosomiasis transmission in endemic regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, while some areas, such as parts of West Africa, may see reduced risk. Emerging hotspots were identified in regions not currently endemic. Climate adaptation policies, such as improved water management and early warning systems, were found effective in reducing transmission. Integrating climate adaptation strategies into schistosomiasis control programs is critical to mitigating the disease’s spread, particularly in emerging hotspots and shifting endemic areas. Full article

Vector-borne diseases play a significant role in veterinary health, impacting both wild and domestic animals and posing a major constraint on the development of animal husbandry worldwide. The current study aimed to highlight some of the factors involved in the appearance and dissemination of these emerging and re-emerging diseases, as well as the prevalence rate of certain species of pathogens, in cattle throughout Europe. Considering the complexity of vector–host systems, ticks can be mentioned as the first and most common vector involved in the transmission of pathogens in cattle. The highest prevalence was reported for two vector species: Ixodes ricinus and Haemaphysalis punctata. Another factor that contributes to the rapid identification of these diseases is the employed diagnostic method; thus, the most frequently employed techniques in Europe are: PCR, ELISA, and phylogenetic analysis of sequences. The prevalence of tick-borne infections in cattle is continuously increasing. The most frequent associations are Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Borrelia burgdorferi. Overall, this study highlights a rising occurrence and prevalence of vector-borne diseases in European cattle, underscoring the need for thorough monitoring of farms and vector hotspots—ideally within a “One Health” framework. Full article

Aedes mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) are the major vectors for many mosquito-borne diseases. Here, we retrieved 878,954 global occurrences of 29 Aedes mosquito species and 30 candidate predictors at a global scale. We created a unified frame and built 29 multi-algorithm species distribution models to project the ranges and overlapped them to examine the range-overlap hotspots under future scenarios. We detected expanded ranges in most Aedes mosquito species, and a substantial increase in the index of habitat suitability overlap was detected in more than 70% of the global terrestrial area, particularly in Europe, North America, and Africa. We also identified extensive range overlap, which increased in future scenarios. Climatic factors had a more significant influence on range dynamics than other variables. The expanded ranges of most Aedes mosquito species and the substantial increase in the overlap index of habitat suitability in most regions suggest globally increasing threats of Aedes-borne epidemic transmission. Thus, much stricter strategies must be implemented, particularly in Europe, North America, and Africa. As climate change increases habitat suitability and expands ranges in most Aedes mosquito species, mitigating future climate change will be a key approach to combatting their impacts. Full article

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most important arbovirus worldwide. In 2019, a significant increase in dengue cases was reported worldwide, resulting in a peak of imported cases in some European countries such as Spain. We aimed to describe travel-associated and locally acquired DENV strains detected in 2019 in the Catalonia region (northeastern Spain), a hotspot for dengue introduction in Europe. Through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the envelope gene, 75 imported viremic cases and two local strains were described. Autochthonous transmission events included an infection of a local mosquito with an imported dengue strain and a locally acquired human dengue infection from a locally infected mosquito. Overall, all four DENV serotypes and up to 10 different genotypes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed transcontinental circulations associated with DENV-1 and DENV-2 and the presence of DENV-4 genotype I in Indonesia, where few cases had been previously described. A molecular study of the autochthonous events determined that local Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were infected by an African DENV-1 genotype V strain, while the locally acquired human case was caused by a DENV-3 genotype I of Asian origin. These findings underline the wide variability of imported strains and the high risk of DENV introduction into this territory, emphasizing the importance and usefulness of molecular characterization and phylogenetics for both local and global surveillance of the disease. Full article

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) significantly impact African animal health and agricultural productivity, especially at the wildlife–livestock interface. This systematic review analyzed 20 eligible studies from East, Southern, and limited parts of Central Africa to determine the distribution and prevalence of key tick species and associated pathogens. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma variegatum were the most commonly reported tick species, with R. appendiculatus exhibiting up to 50.5% prevalence in cattle and buffalo in Uganda. The most frequently detected pathogens included Theileria parva, Anaplasma marginale, and Coxiella burnetii, with T. parva showing high prevalence in cattle populations coexisting with wildlife. Notably, geographic disparities were observed, with Central and West Africa being underrepresented. Most pathogen detections occurred in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa, indicating regional hotspots for tick-borne disease transmission. This review highlights the urgent need for enhanced surveillance, region-specific vector control programs, and integrated One Health approaches to address the ecological, agricultural, and zoonotic challenges of tick-borne pathogens across Africa. Full article

The 1999 outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) in New York City (NYC) marked the first documented introduction of the virus into the western hemisphere, prompting extensive public health surveillance. This study examines the epidemiology of WNV from 2000 to 2019, analyzing 381 human cases, including 66 cases of West Nile Fever (WNF) and 315 cases of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND), with 35 fatalities. Simultaneously, 6632 WNV-positive mosquito pools were identified across 16 species. While Culex pipiens and Cx. restuans accounted for 91.4% of positive pools, Cx. salinarius, which comprised only 6.2%, exhibited a stronger correlation with human infections. Human surveillance involved comprehensive case investigations following laboratory-confirmed WNV infections, incorporating structured interviews with patients and healthcare providers. Mosquito surveillance was conducted through weekly collections from 52–71 permanent trap sites, supplemented by approximately 200 additional sites annually in areas with elevated WNV activity. Captured mosquitoes were species-identified, pooled, and tested for WNV RNA via RT-PCR. Findings highlight the dominant role of Culex species, particularly Cx. salinarius, in human WNV transmission, with 69% of cases occurring near WNV-positive mosquito pools. Spatial analyses identified transmission hotspots, emphasizing the importance of species-specific mosquito control strategies. Over the study period, WNV activity has increased in NYC, likely influenced by climate change, as warmer summers and extended breeding seasons align with peak outbreaks. Integrating spatial mapping, climate forecasting, and targeted surveillance could significantly improve WNV mitigation efforts in urban environments. Full article

Gamasid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) are ecologically diverse arthropods, many of which act as vectors for zoonotic diseases such as rickettsial pox and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. This study investigates the faunal and ecological patterns of gamasid mites across five zoogeographic microregions in Yunnan Province, China, a biodiversity hotspot with complex topography. From 1990 to 2022, 18,063 small mammal hosts (primarily rodents) were surveyed, yielding 167 mite species (141,501 specimens). The key findings include the following: (1) Low host specificity: most mite species parasitized >10 host species, with Laelaps nuttalli, L. echidninus, Dipolaelaps anourosorecis, L. guizhouensis, L. turkestanicus, and L. chini dominating (>76.59% abundance). (2) Environmental heterogeneity: mountainous and outdoor habitats exhibited higher mite diversity than flatland/indoor environments. (3) Zoonotic risks: thirteen vector species with low host specificity were identified, potentially amplifying disease transmission. (4) Ecological niche dynamics: high niche overlaps (e.g., Laelaps guizhouensis vs. L. xingyiensis: O_ik = 0.997) and positive interspecific correlations (e.g., L. echidninus vs. L. nuttalli: R = 0.97, p < 0.01) suggest co-occurrence trends on shared hosts. (5) Biogeographic patterns: mite communities were clustered distinctly by microregion, with the highest similarity being obtained between western/southern plateaus (IV and V) and unique diversity in the Hengduan Mountains (I). (6) Chao 1 estimation predicted 203 total mite species in Yunnan, 36 of which were undetected in the current sampling. These results highlight the interplay of biogeography, host ecology, and environmental factors in shaping mite distributions, with implications for zoonotic disease surveillance in biodiverse regions. Full article

Malaria disease affects millions of people annually, making the Amazon Basin a major hotspot in the Americas. While traditional control strategies rely on physical and chemical methods, the Anopheles microbiome offers a promising avenue for biological control, as certain bacteria can inhibit parasite development and alter vector immune and reproductive systems, disrupting the transmission cycle. For this reason, this study aimed to explore the bacterial communities in An. darlingi and An. triannulatus s.l., including breeding sites, immature stages, and adults from San Pedro de los Lagos (Leticia, Amazonas) through next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The results revealed a higher bacterial genus richness in the L1–L2 larvae of An. triannulatus s.l. Aeromonas and Enterobacter were prevalent in most samples, with abundances of 52.51% in L3–L4 larvae and 48.88% in pupae of An. triannulatus s.l., respectively. In breeding site water, Verrucomicrobiota bacteria were the most dominant (52.39%). We also identified Delftia (15.46%) in An. triannulatus s.l. pupae and Asaia (98.22%) in An. triannulatus, linked to Plasmodium inhibition, and Elizabethkingia, in low abundances, along with Klebsiella and Serratia, known for paratransgenesis potential. Considering the high bacterial diversity observed across the different mosquito life stages, identifying bacterial composition is the first step towards developing new strategies for malaria control. However, the specific roles of these bacteria in anophelines and the malaria transmission cycle remain to be elucidated. Full article

Grapevine red blotch is an emerging disease that threatens vineyard productions in North America. Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV, species Grablovirus vitis, genus Grablovirus, family Geminiviridae), the causal agent of red blotch disease, is transmitted by Spissistilus festinus (Hemiptera: Membracidae) in a circulative, non-propagative mode. To gain new insight into GRBV-S. festinus interactions, we delved into vertical transmission and documented a lack of transovarial transmission. In addition, we investigated S. festinus sex differences in the horizontal transmission of GRBV by creating small arenas with 30 detached trifoliates of common snap bean, an experimental host of GRBV, and a preferred feeding host of S. festinus. Tracking the movement of viruliferous males, females, or a combination of the two sexes over two weeks in replicated experiments demonstrated that male S. festinus dispersed more than females with specimens of both sexes predominantly grouping together on trifoliates spatially surrounding the trifoliate onto which they were released. These behaviors resulted in a greater rate of GRBV transmission by S. festinus males (17%, 20 of 120) than females (4%, 5 of 120) or mixed-sex cohorts (9%, 17 of 180). In arenas with aviruliferous S. festinus and one (single) or four (hotspot) GRBV-infected trifoliates out of 30 total trifoliates, a higher GRBV transmission rate by males was confirmed in both single infection (50%, 30 of 60) and hotspot infection (83%, 50 of 60) arenas than by females in single infection (35%, 21 of 60) and hotspot infection (67%, 40 of 60) arenas. These findings highlighted sex-associated differences in the transmission of GRBV by S. festinus and a positive correlation between the initial virus prevalence and the rate of transmission. Finally, the secondary spread of GRBV resulted primarily from S. festinus dispersal by walking or jumping. Together, these unique GRBV transmission features support the need to characterize dispersal behaviors of S. festinus in vineyard ecosystems. Full article

The epidemic outbreaks of the last two decades have led governments to rely more on computational tools for establishing protection policies. Computational approaches to modeling epidemics traditionally rely on compartmental models, network models, or agent-based models (ABMs); however, each approach has its limitations, ranging from reduced realism to lack of tractability. Furthermore, the recent literature emphasizes the importance of points of interest (POIs) as sources of population mixing and potential outbreak hotspots. In response, this study proposes a novel urban spatial ABM validated using our augmented SICARQD epidemic model. To replicate daily activities more accurately, the urban area is divided into a matrix of points of interest (POIs) with agents that have unique paths that only permit infectious transmission within POIs. Our results provide a qualitative assessment of how urban characteristics and individual mobility patterns impact the infected population during an outbreak. That is, we study how population density, the total number of POIs (where the population concentrates), the average number of POIs visited by an agent, the maximum travel distance from the home location, and the quarantine ratio impact the dynamics of an outbreak. Our ABM simulation framework offers a valuable tool for investigating and controlling infectious disease outbreaks in urban environments with direct applicability to global policy makers. Full article

Studies on animal virome have mainly concentrated on chordates and medically significant invertebrates, often overlooking sylvatic mosquitoes, constituting a major part of mosquito species diversity. Despite their potential role in arbovirus transmission, the viromes of sylvatic mosquitoes remain largely unexplored. These mosquitoes may also harbor insect-specific viruses (ISVs), affecting arboviral transmission dynamics. The Cerrado biome, known for rapid deforestation and its status as a biodiversity hotspot, offers an ideal setting for investigating mosquito viromes due to potential zoonotic spillover risks from land use changes. This study aimed to characterize the viromes of sylvatic mosquitoes collected from various locations within Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The total RNA was extracted from mosquito pools of Psorophora albipes, Sabethes albiprivus, Sa. chloropterus, Psorophora ferox, and Coquillettidia venezuelensis species, followed by high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Bioinformatic analysis included quality control, contig assembly, and viral detection. Sequencing data analysis revealed 11 near-complete viral genomes (new viruses are indicated with asterisks) across seven viral families and one unassigned genus. These included: Xinmoviridae (Ferox mosquito mononega-like virus* and Albipes mosquito Gordis-like virus*), Phasmaviridae (Sabethes albiprivus phasmavirus*), Lispiviridae (Pedras lispivirus variant MG), Iflaviridae (Sabethes albiprivus iflavivirus*), Virgaviridae (Buriti virga-like virus variant MG and Sabethes albiprivus virgavirus 1*), Flaviviridae (Psorophora ferox flavivirus*), Mesoniviridae (Alphamesonivirus cavallyense variant MG), and the genus Negevirus (Biggie virus variant MG virus and Coquillettidia venezuelensis negevirus*). Moreover, the presence of ISVs and potential novel arboviruses underscores the need for ongoing surveillance and control strategies to mitigate the risk of emerging infectious diseases. Full article

The receptor–receptor interaction (RRI) of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) leads to new functional entities that are conceptually distinct from the simple addition of signals mediated by the activation of the receptors that form the heteromers. Focusing on astrocytes, there is evidence for the existence of inhibitory and facilitatory RRIs, including the heteromers formed by the adenosine A2A and the dopamine D2 receptors, by A2A and the oxytocin receptor (OTR), and the D2-OTR heteromers. The possible involvement of these receptors in mosaicism has never been investigated in striatal astrocytes. By biophysical and functional approaches, we focused our attention on the existence of an A2A-D2-OTR high-order receptor complex and its role in modulating cytosolic calcium levels and endogenous glutamate release, when striatal astrocyte processes were stimulated with 4-aminopyridine. Functional data indicate a permissive role of OTR on dopamine signaling in the regulation of the glutamatergic transmission, and an inhibitory control mediated by A2A on both the D2-mediated signaling and on the OTR-facilitating effect on D2. Imaging biochemical and bioinformatic evidence confirmed the existence of the A2A-D2-OTR complex and its ternary structure in the membrane. In conclusion, the D2 receptor appears to be a hotspot in the control of the glutamate release from the astrocytic processes and may contribute to the regulation and integration of different neurotransmitter-mediated signaling in the striatum by the A2A-D2-OTR heterotrimers. Considering the possible selectivity of allosteric interventions on GPCRs organized as receptor mosaics, A2A-D2-OTR heterotrimers may offer selective pharmacological targets in neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Full article