Visual and thermal stimuli modulate mosquito-host contact with implications for improving malaria vector control tools

Malaria prevention relies on mosquito control interventions that use insecticides and exploit mosquito behavior. The rise of insecticide resistance and changing transmission dynamics urgently demand vector control innovation. To identify behavioral traits that could be incorporated into such tools, we investigated the flight and landing response of Anopheles coluzzii to human-like host cues. We show that landing rate is directly proportional to the surface area of thermal stimulus, whereas close-range orientation is modulated by both thermal and visual inputs. We modeled anopheline eye optics to theorize the distance at which visual targets can be detected under a range of conditions, and experimentally established mosquito preference for landing on larger targets, although landing density is greater on small targets. Target orientation does not affect landing rate; however, vertical targets can be resolved at greater distance than horizontal targets of the same size. Mosquito traps for vector control could be significantly enhanced by incorporating these features

Protocol for rearing and using mosquitoes for flight path tracking and behavioral characterization in wind tunnel bioassays

Mosquito behavioral assays are an important component in vector research and control tool development. Here, we present a protocol for rearing Anopheles mosquitoes, performing host-seeking behavioral bioassays, and collecting 3D flight tracks in a large wind tunnel.We describe steps for setting up host-seeking landing assays, both as a non-choice and as a dual-choice assay, and analyzing flight tracks. This protocol can be applied in the research of several behavioral traits, including nectar seeking, resting, mating, and oviposition behavior. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Carnaghi et al

Endotheliopathy Is Associated With a 24-Hour Fibrinolysis Phenotype Described by Low TEG Lysis and High d-Dimer After Trauma

Objectives:. Determine associations between biomarkers of endotheliopathy, 24-hour fibrinolysis phenotypes and clinical outcomes after trauma. Background:. The vascular endothelium is a critical regulator of hemostasis and organ function. The relationship between markers of endotheliopathy and fibrinolysis following trauma has not been evaluated. Methods:. We performed a secondary analysis of prospectively collected biomarker data in the Pragmatic Randomized Optimal Platelet and Plasma Ratios (PROPPR) randomized controlled trial. We stratified subjects by 24-hour thromboelastography (TEG) percent clot lysis (LY30) and plasma d-dimer (DD) levels and evaluated differences in endotheliopathy biomarkers and clinical outcomes between subjects with one of four 24-hour fibrinolysis phenotypes: LY30 0.9% to 2.9% (LY30norm), LY30 > 2.9% (LY30high), LY30 < 0.9% and low DD (LY30low+DDlow), and LY30 < 0.9% and high DD (LY30low+DDhigh). Results:. The analysis included 168 subjects with LY30norm, 32 with LY30high, 147 with LY30low+DDlow, and 124 with LY30low+DDhigh. LY30low+DDhigh subjects had greater injury severity and a higher incidence of severe head injury, multiorgan failure (MOF), and mortality than the other phenotypes. All endotheliopathy biomarkers were significantly higher in the LY30low+DDhigh phenotype. Adjusting for injury severity, mechanism, and head trauma, 24-hour angiopoietin-2 and soluble thrombomodulin were independently associated with the LY30low+DDhigh phenotype. Both endothelial biomarkers were discriminating for MOF. Subjects with thrombomodulin level >9.5 ng/mL and angiopoietin-2 level >3.6 ng/mL accounted for 64% of subjects who developed MOF. Conclusions:. In a multicenter trauma cohort, subjects with a fibrinolysis phenotype characterized by low TEG lysis and elevated DD 24 hours after injury have significantly worse endotheliopathy and clinical outcomes. Our findings support mechanistic evaluations of the role of the endothelium in fibrinolysis dysregulation that may drive late-stage organ injury