Search Results (56)

Ticks are major vectors of numerous pathogens, and their public health significance is increasing due to climate change and the expanding involvement of wildlife hosts. In Korea, the Korean water deer (KWD, Hydropotes inermis argyropus) is widely distributed and considered a key wild host for ticks, potentially serving as a reservoir for diverse tick-borne diseases (TBDs). To examine the geographical and temporal distribution of TBDs in this species, 1035 spleen samples were collected from KWDs across 12 regions between April and November 2023. Overall, 93.6% (969) of samples were positive for at least one pathogen. Five Anaplasma species were identified: A. phagocytophilum, A. phagocytophilum-like A (APLA), APLB, A. bovis, and A. capra. In addition, Borrelia theileri and three Theileria species—T. capreoli, T. cervi, and T. luwenshuni—were detected. Notably, this study presents the first global detection of APLA, APLB, and B. theileri in KWDs. Statistically significant regional and seasonal differences in prevalence were observed, with higher detection rates in northern regions and during autumn, suggesting that environmental and ecological factors influence transmission dynamics. These findings highlight the role of KWD as a reservoir host for multiple TBDs and underscore the importance of wildlife-based surveillance for assessing zoonotic disease risks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne neglected disease that can cause permanent deformities. Current chemotherapy based on injections with toxic drugs or oral miltefosine poses many drawbacks, urging the need for new oral therapies. Here, we proposed to increase the bioavailability of NAT22, an intralesionally but not orally active antileishmanial chalcone, through nanocrystallization to promote its oral use in CL. Methods/Results: NAT22 nanocrystals were produced using a solvent-free green process of dry and wet milling that reduced NAT22 crystal sizes by around 1500-fold to 257 nm (nanoNAT22). Such reduction in size increased water solubility by 15-fold to 4.3 µg/mL and ensured stability in the absence of stabilizers for at least one month. Of note, nanoNAT22 in aqueous medium was more selective for parasites (SI = 35.2) than NAT22 in 1% DMSO (SI = 7.6). Leishmania amazonensis-infected mice treated with oral nanoNAT22 had lesion sizes and parasite loads similar to those achieved with intralesional Glucantime^®, and significantly smaller than NAT22. Conclusions: Together, these results indicate that nanocrystallization is an effective process to render NAT22 chalcone also orally active against CL. Full article

The quality control of insect repellents contributes to the population’s health since these products prevent mosquito bites and vector-borne diseases. In this study, we developed and validated a novel analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) for the quantification of icaridin in insect repellent lotions. The analysis was performed on a phenyl chromatographic column 150 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm and stabilized at 30 °C. The detection of icaridin was achieved at 4.5 min with a 20 μL injection volume of the samples. The active ingredient was extracted from the lotion samples with isopropanol and water (50:50 v/v) and then diluted to the working concentration at 0.6 mg/mL with the mobile phase. The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 0.1 to 1.2 mg/mL. The method was robust, specific and precise (relative standard deviations—RSD < 2%). The accuracy of the method was demonstrated by icaridin recovery. The limit of detection and quantification were 0.03 mg/mL and 0.1 mg/mL, respectively. The present report puts forward a novel analytical method for the quantification of icaridin, contributing to improving the quality control and efficacy of marketed formulations and their different presentations such as lotions, gels and sprays, demonstrating its good applicability. Full article

Vector-borne infections (Arbovirosis) represent a significant threat to public health worldwide. Climate change, currently a global problem, seems to contribute to the incidence and prevalence of autochthonous and imported cases of arbovirosis in Europe. The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of climate change on the occurrence and spread of arbovirosis in order to offer concrete ideas to the competent authorities and modulate surveillance plans on the basis of risk assessment. The results of official controls carried out from 2018 to 2023 on animals subjected to the Surveillance Plans for Blue Tongue, West Nile and Usutu viruses in the Campania Region were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using R software (version 4.5.0). The possible correlation between the prevalence of infections and climate parameters was evaluated with the “cross-correlation time series” (p-value < 0.05). The generalized linear mixed model showed that for each unit increase in humidity and temperature, the probability of disease spread increased by 4.56% and 7.84%, respectively. The univariate logistic regression model and the odds ratio were necessary to evaluate the possible risk related to the proximity to wetlands or to bodies of water: in the past few years, these have represented a risk for the persistence and spread of arbovirosis in the Campania region. Full article

For communities without access to uninterrupted, piped water, household water storage (HWS) practices can lead to adverse public health outcomes caused by water degradation and mosquito proliferation. With over 700,000 deaths caused by vector-borne diseases annually, the objective of this study was to determine whether water disinfectants, at concentrations deemed safe for human consumption and beneficial for water treatment, are effective in reducing the emergence of adult mosquitoes that transmit disease. Laboratory bioassays, designed to resemble the context of treating HWS containers, were conducted to assess the larvicidal effects of chemicals at concentrations below regulatory limits for drinking water: silver (20, 40, 80 μg/L Ag), copper (300, 600, 1200 μg/L Cu), and chlorine (500, 1000, 2000 ug/L free chlorine). The water disinfectants demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce the population of juvenile Ae. aegypti. Sodium hypochlorite was found to be the most effective in decreasing the survival rate of late first instar larvae, while silver nitrate exhibited the highest effectiveness in inhibiting the emergence of late third instar larvae. Ultimately, this study highlights the potential of an integrated approach to Water, Sanitation, and Health (WASH) solutions with vector control management. Full article

Background: Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) pose a serious medical and veterinary threat as vectors of tick-borne pathogens. The wide variety of tick repellents available on the market primarily consist of synthetic preparations that may disrupt the ecological balance and accumulate in the environment, leading to harmful effects on humans and animals. The aim of the study was to develop an ecological preparation based on natural raw materials (biopolymers) with the addition of a mixture of essential oils that act as tick repellents. Methods: The preparations were acquired through the emulsification method, specifically the oil-in-water emulsion technique. The assessment encompassed an analysis of their physicochemical properties, including centrifugal and thermal stability, dynamic viscosity, wetting angle, and conductivity. Additionally, their biodegradation and ecotoxicity profiles were evaluated, as well as their impact on tick behavior. Results: The preparations exhibited stability, rapid biodegradation, and absence of ecotoxicity. Additionally, they had repellent properties against the two tested species of ticks (Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus). Conclusions: Emulsion formulations comprising natural ingredients have significant research potential for combating ticks, thus mitigating the risk of tick-borne diseases in both human and animal populations. Full article

Environmental disasters are extreme environmental processes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunamis, floods, cyclones, storms, wildfires and droughts that are the consequences of the climate crisis due to human intervention in the environment. Their effects on human health have alarmed the global scientific community. Among them, autoimmune diseases, a heterogeneous group of disorders, have increased dramatically in many parts of the world, likely as a result of changes in our exposure to environmental factors. However, only a limited number of studies have attempted to discover and analyze the complex association between environmental disasters and autoimmune diseases. This narrative review has therefore tried to fill this gap. First of all, the activation pathways of autoimmunity after environmental disasters have been analyzed. It has also been shown that wildfires, earthquakes, desert dust storms and volcanic eruptions may damage human health and induce autoimmune responses to inhaled PM2.5, mainly through oxidative stress pathways, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and epithelial barrier damage. In addition, it has been shown that heat stress, in addition to increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, may also disrupt the intestinal barrier, thereby increasing its permeability to toxins and pathogens or inducing epigenetic changes. In addition, toxic volcanic elements may accelerate the progressive destruction of myelin, which may potentially trigger multiple sclerosis. The complex and diverse mechanisms by which vector-borne, water-, food-, and rodent-borne diseases that often follow environmental diseases may also trigger autoimmune responses have also been described. In addition, the association between post-disaster stress and the onset or worsening of autoimmune disease has been demonstrated. Given all of the above, the rapid restoration of post-disaster health services to mitigate the flare-up of autoimmune conditions is critical. Full article

Mosquito species, including the Asian tiger mosquito, can transmit disease-causing pathogens such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, with their population dynamics influenced by a variety of factors including climate shifts, human activity, and local environmental conditions. Understanding these dynamics is vital for effective control measures. Our study, conducted in Jardí Botanic Marimurtra from May to November 2021, monitored Ae. albopictus activity using BG-Traps and investigated larval control effects. We employed Generalized Linear Mixed Models to analyze variables like weather, human presence, and larvicidal control on adult mosquito abundance. Adults of Ae. albopictus exhibited a seasonal pattern influenced by temperature but with bimodal peaks linked to cumulative rainfall. Proximity to stagnant water and visitor influx directly affected mosquito captures. Additionally, the effectiveness of larvicide treatments depended on interactions between preceding rainfall levels and treatment timing. Our research emphasizes the significance of studying vector ecology at local scales to enhance the efficacy of control programs and address the escalating burden of vector-borne diseases. Considering the impacts of extreme weather events and climate shifts is essential for the development of robust vector control strategies. Furthermore, our distinct findings serve as a prime illustration of utilizing statistical modeling to gain mechanistic insights into ecological patterns and processes. Full article

The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) has great adaptability to rustic environments and more variable conditions than cattle, who generally share the habitat. Diseases carried by buffaloes are relatively unknown and ignored and could be transmissible; an imbalance occurs between pathogens, environment, and susceptible hosts, generating a severe animal health problem. Also relevant is the effect of climate change on the populations of vectors that transmit viral diseases. The discovery of new virus variants that can pass from bovine (Bos) to buffalo or vice versa or to humans has highlighted the relevance of viruses crossing the host barrier. This review discusses the clinical viral diseases most reported in the water buffalo, characteristics, epidemiology, and recent findings about disease behavior, interaction with other species, the host, vectors, and pathogens. Diseases reviewed include Foot and Mouth Disease, Rinderpest, Malignant Catarrhal Fever, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, Bovine Viral Diarrhea, and Rabies. Also, vector-borne diseases include Lumpy Skin Disease, Ephemeral Fever, and Blue Tongue. The review also considers emerging viruses such as Buffalo Pox and Schmallenberg and, finally, other viruses such as papillomatosis. The knowledge and epidemiology of buffalo viral diseases must be constantly reconsidered and updated for adequate prevention and control programs. Full article

Chagas disease (CD) remains endemic throughout many regions of Colombia despite implementing decades of vector control strategies in several departments. Some regions have had a significant decrease in vectorial transmission, but the oral ingestion of Trypanosoma cruzi through consumption of contaminated food and drink products is increasingly described. This form of transmission has important public health relevance in Colombia due to an increase in reported acute CD cases and clinical manifestations that often lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Oral CD in Colombia has been associated with the consumption of contaminated fruit juices, such as palm wine, sugar cane, or tangerine juice and water for consumption, or contaminated surfaces where food has been prepared. Another interesting route of oral transmission includes ingestion of unbeknownst infected armadillos’ blood, which is related to a traditional medicine practice in Colombia. Some earlier reports have also implemented consumption of infected bush meat as a source, but this is still being debated. Within the Amazon Basin, oral transmission is now considered the principal cause of acute CD in these regions. Furthermore, new cases of acute CD are now being seen in departments where CD has not been documented, and triatomine vectors are not naturally found, thus raising suspicion for oral transmission. The oral CD could also be considered a food-borne zoonosis, and odoriferous didelphid secretions have been implemented in contaminating the human dwelling environment, increasing the risk of consumption of infectious metacyclic trypomastigotes. In this article, we will discuss the complex transmission dynamics of oral CD in Colombia and further examine the unique clinical manifestations of this route of infection. New insights into the oral transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi are being discovered in Colombia, which can help bring increased awareness and a better understanding of this neglected tropical disease to reduce the burden of CD throughout Latin America. Full article

Background: With the reports of indigenous cases of dengue and chikungunya in the forest-covered rural tribal malaria-endemic villages of Dhalai District, Tripura, India, an exploratory study was undertaken to identify the vector breeding sites. Methods: From June 2021 to August 2022, mosquito larvae were collected from both natural and artificial sources in the villages, house premises, and their nearby forested areas outside of the houses. Other than morphological characterisation, Aedes species were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction targeting both nuclear (ITS2) and mitochondrial genes (COI) followed by bidirectional Sanger sequencing. Results: Aedes albopictus was abundantly found in this area in both natural and artificial containers, whereas Ae. aegypti was absent. Among the breeding sources of molecularly confirmed Ae. albopictus species, rubber collection bowls were found to be a breeding source reported for the first time. Plastic and indigenously made bamboo–polythene containers for storing supply water and harvesting rainwater in the villages with a shortage of water were found to be other major breeding sources, which calls for specific vector control strategies. Natural sources like ponds and rainwater collected on Tectona grandis leaves and Colocasia axil were also found to harbour the breeding, along with other commonly found sources like bamboo stumps and tree holes. No artificial containers as a breeding source were found inside the houses. Mixed breeding was observed in many containers with other Aedes and other mosquito species, necessitating molecular identification. We report six haplotypes in this study, among which two are reported for the first time. However, Aedes aegypti was not found in the area. Additionally, rubber collection bowls, ponds, and water containers also showed the presence of Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex vishnui, known JE vectors from this area, and reported JE cases as well. Different Anopheles vector spp. from this known malaria-endemic area were also found, corroborating this area as a hotbed of several vectors and vector-borne diseases. Conclusions: This study, for the first time, reports the breeding sources of Aedes albopictus in the forested areas of Tripura, with rubber collection bowls and large water storage containers as major sources. Also, for the first time, this study reports the molecular characterisation of the Ae. albopictus species of Tripura, elucidating the limitations of morphological identification and highlighting the importance of molecular studies for designing appropriate vector control strategies. The study also reports the co-breeding of JE and malaria vectors for the first time in the area reporting these vector-borne diseases. Full article

In Africa, vector-borne diseases are a major public health issue, especially in cities. Urban greening is increasingly considered to promote inhabitants’ well-being. However, the impact of urban green spaces on vector risk remains poorly investigated, particularly urban forests in poor hygienic conditions. Therefore, using larval sampling and human landing catches, this study investigated the mosquito diversity and the vector risk in a forest patch and its inhabited surroundings in Libreville, Gabon, central Africa. Among the 104 water containers explored, 94 (90.4%) were artificial (gutters, used tires, plastic bottles) and 10 (9.6%) were natural (puddles, streams, tree holes). In total, 770 mosquitoes belonging to 14 species were collected from such water containers (73.1% outside the forested area). The mosquito community was dominated by Aedes albopictus (33.5%), Culex quinquefasciatus (30.4%), and Lutzia tigripes (16.5%). Although mosquito diversity was almost double outside compared to inside the forest (Shannon diversity index: 1.3 vs. 0.7, respectively), the species relative abundance (Morisita–Horn index = 0.7) was similar. Ae. albopictus (86.1%) was the most aggressive species, putting people at risk of Aedes-borne viruses. This study highlights the importance of waste pollution in urban forested ecosystems as a potential driver of mosquito-borne diseases. Full article

Free-living nematodes harbor and disseminate various soil-borne bacterial pathogens. Whether they function as vectors or environmental reservoirs for the aquatic L. pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, is unknown. A survey screening of biofilms of natural (swimming lakes) and technical (cooling towers) water habitats in Germany revealed that nematodes can act as potential reservoirs, vectors or grazers of L. pneumophila in cooling towers. Consequently, the nematode species Plectus similis and L. pneumophila were isolated from the same cooling tower biofilm and taken into a monoxenic culture. Using pharyngeal pumping assays, potential feeding relationships between P. similis and different L. pneumophila strains and mutants were examined and compared with Plectus sp., a species isolated from a L. pneumophila-positive thermal source biofilm. The assays showed that bacterial suspensions and supernatants of the L. pneumophila cooling tower isolate KV02 decreased pumping rate and feeding activity in nematodes. However, assays investigating the hypothesized negative impact of Legionella’s major secretory protein ProA on pumping rate revealed opposite effects on nematodes, which points to a species-specific response to ProA. To extend the food chain by a further trophic level, Acanthamoebae castellanii infected with L. pneumphila KV02 were offered to nematodes. The pumping rates of P. similis increased when fed with L. pneumophila-infected A. castellanii, while Plectus sp. pumping rates were similar when fed either infected or non-infected A. castellanii. This study revealed that cooling towers are the main water bodies where L. pneumophila and free-living nematodes coexist and is the first step in elucidating the trophic links between coexisting taxa from that habitat. Investigating the Legionella–nematode–amoebae interactions underlined the importance of amoebae as reservoirs and transmission vehicles of the pathogen for nematode predators. Full article

Earthquakes are among the most impressive natural phenomena with very high potential to set off a chain of effects that significantly affects public health through casualties and injuries. Related disasters are attributed not only to the strong ground motion and coseismic phenomena but also to secondary effects, comprising mainly landslides and tsunamis, among others. All these can create harsh conditions favorable for the emergence of infectious diseases that are capable of causing additional human and economic losses and disruption of the emergency and recovery process. The present study comprises an extensive narrative review of the existing literature on the earthquake-triggered infectious diseases recorded worldwide, along with their symptoms, causative pathogens, associated risk factors, most vulnerable population groups, and prevention strategies. Respiratory, gastrointestinal, and vector-borne diseases, as well as wound and skin infections, are mainly recorded among the earthquake-affected population. Measures for effectively preventing earthquake-triggered infectious diseases are also proposed. One of the widely proposed measures is the establishment of a proper disease surveillance system in order to immediately and effectively identify the pre- and post-disaster occurrence of infectious diseases. This approach significantly contributes to disease trends monitoring, validation of early warning, and support of the emergency response and recovery actions. Full article

Globally, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate change (CC) are two of the top health emergencies, and can be considered as two interlinked public health priorities. The complex commonalities between AMR and CC should be deeply investigated in a One Health perspective. Here, we provided an overview of the current knowledge about the relationship between AMR and CC. Overall, the studies included pointed out the need for applying a systemic approach to planetary health. Firstly, CC increasingly brings humans and animals into contact, leading to outbreaks of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases with pandemic potential. Although it is well-established that antimicrobial use in human, animal and environmental sectors is one of the main drivers of AMR, the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the current scenario, by influencing the use of antibiotics, personal protective equipment, and biocides. This also results in higher concentrations of contaminants (e.g., microplastics) in natural water bodies, which cannot be completely removed from wastewater treatment plants, and which could sustain the AMR spread. Our overview underlined the lack of studies on the direct relationship between AMR and CC, and encouraged further research to investigate the multiple aspects involved, and its effect on human health. Full article