All Posts Tagged With: "mosquitoes"

Full article: http://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&id=20180313&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks

Excerpt:

Ticks harbor numerous bacterial, protozoal, and viral pathogens
that can cause serious infections in humans and domestic animals.
Active surveillance of the tick vector can provide insight into
the frequency and distribution of important pathogens in the
environment. Nucleic-acid based detection of tick-borne
bacterial, protozoan, and viral pathogens requires the extraction
of both DNA and RNA (total nucleic acids) from ticks. Traditional
methods for nucleic acid extraction are limited to extraction of
either DNA or the RNA from a sample.
Here we present a simple bead-beating based protocol for
extraction of DNA and RNA from a single tick and show detection
of Borrelia burgdorferi and Powassan virus from individual,
infected Ixodes scapularis ticks. We determined expected yields
for total nucleic acids by this protocol for a variety of adult
tick species. The method is applicable to a variety of arthropod
vectors, including fleas and mosquitoes, and was partially
automated on a liquid handling robot.

Full article: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123563225/abstract

Excerpt:

During the years 1999–2002, a total of 4,898 individuals of 26 species of hematophagous insects (4,149 mosquitoes, 583 black flies, and 166 tabanid flies) was examined for the presence of spirochetes using dark-field microscopy.

There was an overall recovery of spirochetes from the midguts of Culicidae and Simuliidae of 23.5% and 11.4%, respectively. Spirochetes were not detected in Tabanidae.

Seven spirochetal strains have been successfully recovered from mosquitoes and black flies: BR149 (Culex pipiens), BR151 (Cx. pipiens), BR173 (Cx. pipiens), BR177 (Cx. pipiens), BR193 (Aedes cinereus), BR208 (Cx. pipiens), and BR231 (Simulium noelleri). The strains have been adapted to laboratory conditions (BSK-H Complete medium). Their preliminary determination based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing has shown that they differ from the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato as well as other members of the Order Spirochaetales indicating novel bacterial species in the Family Spirochaetaceae.

Full article: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100416/International-experts-discuss-threats-posed-by-ticks-and-fleas.aspx

Excerpt:

As experts from around the world met in New York this week they discussed the need for greater understanding of the threat posed by ticks, fleas and sand flies. Leading scientists called on veterinarians and dog-owners around the world to take action to protect dogs and humans from potentially lethal diseases.

Ticks, mosquitoes, fleas and, in some countries, sand flies are critical in the transmission of diseases to both dogs and humans, including life-threatening conditions such as Lyme Disease, Leishmaniasis and other important diseases such as Ehrlichiosis.

Excerpt:

In Italy, dogs and cats are at risk of becoming infected by
different vector-borne pathogens, including protozoa, bacteria,
and helminths. Ticks, fleas, phlebotomine sand flies, and
mosquitoes are recognized vectors of pathogens affecting cats and
dogs, some of which (e.g., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia
burgdorferi, Dipylidium caninum, Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria
immitis, and Dirofilaria repens) are of zoonotic concern. Recent
studies have highlighted the potential of fleas as vectors of
pathogens of zoonotic relevance (e.g., Rickettsia felis) in this
country. While some arthropod vectors (e.g., ticks and fleas) are
present in certain Italian regions throughout the year, others
(e.g., phlebotomine sand flies) are most active during the summer
season.

Full article:

Excerpt: http://www.liai.org/

Finding has major implications for efforts to develop a first-ever vaccine against the dangerous infectious disorder

SAN DIEGO – (February 11, 2010) A leading immunology research institute has validated the long-held and controversial hypothesis that antibodies – usually the “good guys” in the body’s fight against viruses – instead contribute to severe dengue virus-induced disease, the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology announced today. The finding has major implications for the development of a first-ever vaccine against dengue virus, a growing public health threat which annually infects 50 to 100 million people worldwide, causing a half million cases of the severest form.

“Our lab has proven the decades old hypothesis that subneutralizing levels of dengue virus antibodies exacerbate the disease,” said La Jolla Institute scientist Sujan Shresta, Ph.D, noting this occurs in people with secondary dengue virus infections who have antibodies to the virus due to a previous infection. “This is a situation where antibodies can be bad for you, which is counter to everything we know about the normal function of antibodies. It also presents a special challenge for researchers working to develop a dengue virus vaccine, since most vaccines work by prompting the body to produce antibodies.”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ Deer ticks are expanding their range in the Upper Midwest and southern Canada, new ticks are moving into the area and existing ticks are picking up new diseases, increasing the threat of illness to hikers tramping through the region’s woods. Continued