Susceptibility of Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus to Japanese encephalitis virus; 35710580

Background: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the principal cause of mosquito-borne encephalitis in human populations within Asia. If introduced into new geographic areas, it could have further implications for public and animal health. However, potential mosquito vectors for virus transmission have not been fully investigated. The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has emerged in Europe and is now expanding its geographical range into more northerly latitudes. Culex quinquefasciatus, although absent from Europe, has been detected in Turkey, a country with territory in Europe, and could act as a vector for JEV in other regions. To assess the risk of these invasive species acting as vectors for JEV and therefore potentially contributing to its geographical expansion, we have investigated the vector competence of Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Methods: Two colonised lines of Ae. albopictus (Italy and Spain) and a line of Cx. quinquefasciatus (Tanzania) were compared for susceptibility to infection by oral feeding with JEV strain SA-14, genotype III at 106 PFU/ml and maintained at 25 °C. Specimens were processed at 7 and 14 days post-inoculation (dpi). Rates of infection, dissemination and transmission were assessed through detection of viral RNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in mosquito body, legs and saliva, respectively, at each time point. Where possible, infection and dissemination were confirmed by immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of the JEV envelope protein. Results: Aedes albopictus from Italy showed no susceptibility to infection with JEV strain SA-14. Conversely, Ae. albopictus colonised in Spain was susceptible and 100% of infected mosquitoes that were subjected to saliva screening expressed viral RNA at 14 dpi. Culex quinquefasciatus was highly susceptible to infection as early as 7 dpi and 50% of infected mosquitoes that were subjected to saliva screening expressed viral RNA at 14 dpi. Infection and dissemination were confirmed in Cx. quinquefasciatus by IHC detection of JEV envelope protein in both the mid-gut and salivary glands. Conclusions: Aedes albopictus from two different locations in Europe range from being susceptible to JEV and capable of transmission through to being resistant. Culex quinquefasciatus also appears highly susceptible; therefore, both species could potentially act as vectors for JEV and facilitate the emergence of JEV into new regions. Graphical Abstract: Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2022, The Author(s)

Evidence for overwintering and autochthonous transmission of Usutu virus to wild birds following its redetection in the United Kingdom

Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging zoonotic arbovirus in Europe, where it primarily impacts Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula). For mosquito-borne viruses to persist in temperate areas, transovarial transmission in vectors or overwintering in either hosts or diapausing vectors must occur to facilitate autochthonous transmission. We undertook surveillance of hosts and vectors in 2021 to elucidate whether USUV had overwintered in the United Kingdom (UK) following its initial detection there in 2020. From 175 dead bird submissions, we detected 1 case of USUV infection, in a blackbird, from which a full USUV genome was derived. Using a molecular clock analysis, we demonstrate that the 2021 detection shared a most recent common ancestor with the 2020 Greater London, UK, USUV sequence. In addition, we identified USUV-specific neutralizing antibodies in 10 out of 86 serum samples taken from captive birds at the index site, demonstrating in situ cryptic infection and potential sustained transmission. However, from 4966 mosquitoes, we detected no USUV RNA suggesting that prevalence in the vector community was absent or low during sampling. Combined, these results suggest that USUV overwintered in the UK, thus providing empirical evidence for the continued northward expansion of this vector-borne viral disease. Currently, our detection indicates geographically restricted virus persistence. Further detections over time will be required to demonstrate long-term establishment. It remains unclear whether the UK, and by extension other high-latitude regions, can support endemic USUV infection

Uso y duración de terapia antibiótica en la exacerbación pulmonar aguda de la fibrosis quística: un tema aún sin definir

Cystic fibrosis is a condition about which not much is yet known and remains a hot topic in translational and pulmonary medicine. Evidence on the management of exacerbations is limited, with few clinical trials and systematic reviews. For example, the use and duration of antibiotics in this condition is unknown. Considering that this is a disease that entails high health costs and substantially decreases the functional capacity of the affected person, it is necessary to quickly establish practical algorithms based on evidence. Based on the above, the objective of this narrative review is to synthesize evidence on the use and duration of antibiotic therapy in acute pulmonary exacerbations in patients with cystic fibrosis. For this, a bibliographic search was carried out in the search engines and databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, EBSCO and MEDLINE. It was defined that any article related to the evaluation of the use and duration of antibiotic therapy in acute pulmonary exacerbation in patients with cystic fibrosis would be included, giving priority to original studies and systematic reviews and meta-analyses. After the review of the title and the summary of all the results, 42 articles were finally included. It was found that antibiotic therapy 10 days after standard treatment, by intravenous route, either doxycycline or azithromycin plus colistimethate, allows greater recovery of lost pulmonary function, lengthens the time until the next exacerbation and resolves symptoms quickly.La fibrosis quística es una enfermedad sobre la que aún no se sabe mucho y sigue siendo un tema candente en la medicina traslacional y pulmonar. La evidencia sobre el manejo de las exacerbaciones es limitada, con pocos ensayos clínicos y revisiones sistemáticas. Por ejemplo, se desconoce el uso y la duración de los antibióticos en esta enfermedad. Teniendo en cuenta que se trata de una enfermedad que supone un elevado coste sanitario y que disminuye sustancialmente la capacidad funcional del afectado, es necesario establecer rápidamente algoritmos prácticos basados en la evidencia. En base a lo anterior, el objetivo de esta revisión narrativa es sintetizar evidencia sobre el uso y la duración del tratamiento antibiótico en las exacerbaciones pulmonares agudas en pacientes con fibrosis quística. Para esto, se llevó a cabo una búsqueda bibliográfica en los motores de búsqueda y bases de datos bases de datos PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, EBSCO y MEDLINE. Se definió que cualquier artículo relacionado con la evaluación del uso y duración de antibioticoterapia en la exacerbación aguda pulmonar del paciente con fibrosis quística, sería incluido, dando prioridad a los estudios originales y a las revisiones sistemáticas y meta-análisis. Posterior a la revisión del título y resumen de todos los resultados, se incluyeron 42 artículos. Se encontró que instaurar antibioticoterapia 10 días posterior al tratamiento estándar, por vía intravenosa, ya sea de doxiciclina o azitromicina más colistimetato, permite obtener mayor recuperación de la función pulmonar perdida, alargar el tiempo hasta la próxima exacerbación y solucionar sintomatología rápidamente

Dung removal increases under higher dung beetle functional diversity regardless of grazing intensification

Dung removal by macrofauna such as dung beetles is an important process for nutrient cycling in pasturelands. Intensification of farming practices generally reduces species and functional diversity of terrestrial invertebrates, which may negatively affect ecosystem services. Here, we investigate the effects of cattle-grazing intensification on dung removal by dung beetles in field experiments replicated in 38 pastures around the world. Within each study site, we measured dung removal in pastures managed with low- and high-intensity regimes to assess between-regime differences in dung beetle diversity and dung removal, whilst also considering climate and regional variations. The impacts of intensification were heterogeneous, either diminishing or increasing dung beetle species richness, functional diversity, and dung removal rates. The effects of beetle diversity on dung removal were more variable across sites than within sites. Dung removal increased with species richness across sites, while functional diversity consistently enhanced dung removal within sites, independently of cattle grazing intensity or climate. Our findings indicate that, despite intensified cattle stocking rates, ecosystem services related to decomposition and nutrient cycling can be maintained when a functionally diverse dung beetle community inhabits the human-modified landscape

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

First Record of Culex (Microculex) daumastocampa (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mexico, with Notes on Cx. rejector and Cx. imitator

Culex (Microculex) daumastocampa Dyar & Knab was originally described by Dyar and Knab (Proc US Nat Mus 35:53–70, 1908) from larvae collected at axils of bromeliads in Port San Felipe, Panama. Culex daumastocampa is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Suriname, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico, although its presence had not been reported suggesting its northernmost distribution. In Mexico, the subgenus Microculex had included Cx. rejector Dyar and Knab, and Cx. imitator Theobald. However, after that collection specimens were re-examined along with other specimens collected during 2016 in Chiapas (all specimens are available in the Culicidae Collection of the Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro Unidad Laguna [UAAAN-UL], Mexico). Culex daumastocampa is now reported for the first time in Mexico, Cx. rejector for Chiapas, and Cx. imitator removed from the checklist of previous reports as to be present in Mexico

Batai Orthobunyavirus: An Emerging Mosquito-Borne Virus in Europe

Batai virus (BATV) is a zoonotic orthobunyavirus transmitted by a wide range of mosquito vectors. The virus is distributed throughout Asia and parts of Africa and has been sporadically detected in several European countries. There is increasing evidence that BATV is emerging in Europe as a potential threat to both animal and human health, having been detected in mosquitoes, mammals, birds and humans. In recent years, serological surveillance in cattle, sheep and goats has suggested an antibody prevalence of up to 46% in European livestock, although human serological prevalence remains generally low. However, the recent and continued spread of invasive mosquito species into Europe may facilitate the establishment of competent populations of mosquitoes leading to increased BATV transmission. Migratory birds may also potentially facilitate the emergence of BATV in geographical locations where it was previously undetected. Although BATV has the potential to cause disease in humans and livestock, our understanding of the impact in wild animal populations is extremely limited. Therefore, there is a need for increased surveillance for BATV in mosquitoes, livestock, wild mammals and birds in Europe to understand the true impact of this virus

Detection of Theileria orientalis in mosquito blood meals in the United Kingdom.

Theileria spp. are tick-borne protozoan parasites that infect a wide range of wild and domestic animals. In this study, the utility of xenosurveillance of blood-fed specimens of Culiseta annulata for detecting the presence of piroplasms in livestock was investigated. Blood-fed mosquitoes were collected at Elmley National Nature Reserve, Kent, United Kingdom. All specimens were morphologically identified, and DNA barcoding was used to confirm the morphological identification. Both the vertebrate host species and Theileria genome was detected within the bloodmeal by real-time PCR. Sequencing was used to confirm the identity of all amplicons. In total, 105 blood-fed mosquitoes morphologically identified as Cs. annulata were collected. DNA barcoding revealed that 102 specimens were Cs. annulata (99%), while a single specimen was identified as Anopheles messeae. Two specimens could not be identified molecularly due to PCR amplification failure. Blood meal analysis revealed that Cs. annulata fed almost exclusively on cattle at the collection site (n=100). The application of a pan-piroplasm PCR detected 16 positive samples (15.2%) and sequence analysis of the amplicons demonstrated that the piroplasms present in the blood meal belonged to the Theileria orientalis group. This study demonstrates how xenosurveillance can be applied to detecting pathogens in livestock and confirms the presence of Theileria species in livestock from the United Kingdom

Competence of mosquitoes native to the United Kingdom to support replication and transmission of Rift Valley fever virus

Abstract Background Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus causing severe disease in humans and livestock. It is endemic in Africa and spread to the Arabian Peninsula in 2000 raising concerns it could emerge in Europe. The ability of temperate mosquitoes from the United Kingdom (UK) to support replication and transmission of RVFV is unknown. Methods In this study, two colonised lines of Culex pipiens, wild-caught Aedes detritus and Ae. rusticus from the UK were infected with pathogenic strains of RVFV to assess their vector competence. Mosquitoes were offered artificial blood-meals containing 106 or 107 plaque forming units (PFU)/ml RVFV, simulating natural peak viraemia in young ruminants, and maintained at 20 °C or 25 °C for up to 21 days. Bodies, legs and saliva were collected and tested for the presence of viral RNA and infectious virus to determine the infection, dissemination and transmission potential. Results Across temperatures, doses and strains the average infection, dissemination and transmission rates were: 35, 13 and 5% (n = 91) for Cx. pipiens (Caldbeck); 23, 14 and 5% (n = 138) for Cx. pipiens (Brookwood); 36, 28 and 7% (n = 118) for Ae. detritus. However, despite 35% (n = 20) being susceptible to infection, Ae. rusticus did not transmit RVFV. Survival of Aedes species was negatively affected by maintenance at 25 °C compared to the more representative peak average British summer temperature of 20 °C. Increased mortality was also observed with some species infected with 107 PFU/ml compared to 106 PFU/ml. Conclusions It can be concluded that temperate mosquito species present in the UK demonstrate a transmission potential for RVFV in the laboratory but, even at high temperatures, this occurred at low efficiency