Vector Mosquito Surveillance Using Centers For Disease Control and Prevention Autocidal Gravid Ovitraps In San Antonio, Texas

Mosquito surveillance in large urban areas of the southern USA that border Mexico has become increasingly important due to recent transmission of Zika virus and chikungunya virus in the Americas as well as the continued threat of dengue and West Nile viruses. The vectors of these viruses, Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus, co-occur in residential areas, requiring vector control entities to deploy several different trap types, often expensive and labor-intensive, to surveil these ecologically different species. We evaluated the use of a single trap type, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention autocidal gravid ovitraps (AGOs), to monitor all 3 vector species across residential neighborhoods in San Antonio, TX, over 12 wk (epiweeks 24–35). Mosquito abundance was highest early in our surveillance period (epiweek 25) and was driven largely by Cx. quinquefasciatus. The AGOs collected significantly more Cx. quinquefasciatus than both Aedes species, with more Ae. aegypti collected than Ae. albopictus. The average number of Ae. aegypti captured per trap was consistent across most neighborhoods except for 2 areas where one had significantly the highest and the other with the lowest mosquitoes collected per trap. The average number of Ae. albopictus captured per trap varied with no clear pattern, and Cx. quinquefasciatus were trapped most often near forested hill country neighborhoods. These results indicate that AGOs are appropriate for detecting and tracking the relative abundance of Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Cx. quinquefasciatus across a large and diverse urban landscape over time and therefore may be an inexpensive and streamlined option for vector surveillance programs in large cities

Genetic Elimination of Dengue Vector Mosquitoes

An approach based on mosquitoes carrying a conditional dominant lethal gene (release of insects carrying a dominant lethal, RIDL) is being developed to control the transmission of dengue viruses by vector population suppression. A transgenic strain, designated OX3604C, of the major dengue vector, Aedes aegypti, was engineered to have a repressible female-specific flightless phenotype. This strain circumvents the need for radiation-induced sterilization, allows genetic sexing resulting in male-only releases, and permits the release of eggs instead of adult mosquitoes. OX3604C males introduced weekly into large laboratory cages containing stable target mosquito populations at initial ratios of 8.5-10:1 OX3604C:target eliminated the populations within 10-20 weeks. These data support the further testing of this strain in contained or confined field trials to evaluate mating competitiveness and environmental and other effects. Successful completion of the field trials should facilitate incorporation of this approach into areawide dengue control or elimination efforts as a component of an integrated vector management strategy

Development of a Semi-Field System for Contained Field Trials With Aedes Aegypti in Southern Mexico

Development of new genetic approaches to either interfere with the ability of mosquitoes to transmit dengue virus or to reduce vector population density requires progressive evaluation from the laboratory to contained field trials, before open field release. Trials in contained outdoor facilities are an important part of this process because they can be used to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of modified strains in settings that include natural environmental variations without releasing mosquitoes into the open field. We describe a simple and cost-effective semi-field system designed to study Aedes aegypti carrying a dominant lethal gene (fsRIDL) in semi-field conditions. We provide a protocol for establishing, maintaining, and monitoring stable Ae. aegypti population densities inside field cages

Adaptation of a microbial detection array as a monitoring tool revealed the presence 2 of mosquito-borne viruses and insect-specific viruses in field-collected mosquitoes

Several mosquito-borne diseases affecting humans are emerging or re-emerging in the United States. The early detection of pathogens in mosquito populations is essential to prevent and control the spread of these diseases. In this study, we tested the potential applicability of the Lawrence Livermore Microbial Detection Array (LLMDA) to enhance bio-surveillance by detecting microbes present in Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex mosquitoes that are major vector species globally, including in Texas. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the LLMDA was tested in mosquito samples spiked with different concentrations of dengue virus (DENV) revealing a detection limit of \u3e100 but \u3c1000 pfu/mL. Additionally, field-collected mosquitoes from Chicago, Illinois and College Station, Texas of known infection status (West Nile virus (WNV) and Culex flavivirus (CxFLAV) positive) were tested on the LLMDA to confirm its efficiency. Mosquito field samples of unknown infection status, collected in San Antonio, TX and the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), TX were run on the LLMDA and further confirmed by PCR or qPCR. The analysis of the field samples with the LLMDA revealed the presence of cell fusing agent virus (CFAV) in Ae. aegypti populations. Wolbachia was also detected in several of the field samples (Ae. albopictus and Culex spp.) by the LLMDA. Our findings demonstrated that the LLMDA can be used to detect multiple arboviruses of public health importance including viruses that belong to the Flavivirus, Alphavirus and Orthobunyavirus genera. Additionally, insect-specific viruses and bacteria were also detected from field-collected mosquitoes. Another strength of this array is its ability to detect multiple viruses in the same mosquito pool allowing for the detection of co-circulating pathogens in an area, and the identification of potential ecological associations between different viruses. This array can aid in the bio-surveillance of mosquito borne viruses circulating in specific geographical areas

Host Specificity in \u3ci\u3eMetamera sillasenorum\u3c/i\u3e, n. sp., a Gregarine Parasite of the Leech \u3ci\u3eHelobdella triserialis\u3c/i\u3e with Notes on Transmission Dynamics

Eugregarines of the suborder Septatorina are apicomplexan parasites that are found mainly in arthropods. Some exceptions are species in the Metameridae that contains the only 5 septate gregarines recorded from annelids. The type genus is Metamera Duke, 1910 with two species, Metamera schubergi Duke, 1910, in European Glossiphonia complanata, and Metamera reynoldsi Jones, 1943, from North American G. complanata. Over the summers of 1995-1998, in Keith County, Nebraska, septate gregarines were found in the glossiphoniid leech Helobdella triserialis. The gregarines were determined to be a new species of Metamera, herein named Metamera sillasenorum. Measurements of size and body proportions of over 600 gregarines and 50 oocysts showed differences from measurements of M. schubergi and M. reynoldsi, and secondary septa in the deutomerite were rarely observed. Field observations indicated that M. sillasenorum is probably host specific. In the laboratory, leeches also exhibited strong feeding preferences; e.g., H. triserialis and G. complanata consumed only snails, whereas Helobdella stagnalis consumed only oligochaetes. Infection experiments demonstrated that freshwater snails ingest the oocysts and are required as mechanical vectors. Oocysts were passed unaltered through the snails\u27 intestines. Glossiphonia complanata did not become infected regardless of heavy exposure to oocysts, although only 5 G. complanata were used in the experiments. The results show that host specificity of M. sillasenorum is most likely due to a combination of host-feeding habits and host-parasite compatibility

Data_Sheet_1_Personality and city culture predict attitudes and practices toward mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in South Texas.docx

Personality is known to affect compliance with health-protective behaviors and it has been shown that effective public health messaging can be informed by an understanding of that relationship. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the role personality might play in implementing personal protective measures (PPMs) that can prevent mosquito-borne diseases. This is the first mosquito-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) study to incorporate a measure of personality using the Big Five: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. KAP studies in Gulf-coast and Mexican border-states in the U.S. are few. Ours is only the second KAP study to take place in Texas despite known local transmission and established mosquito populations capable of transmitting dengue, zika, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses. The KAP survey was administered in three neighborhoods in San Antonio, a large, Hispanic-majority, urban city that is segregated economically and ecologically. We found that openness, agreeableness, and extraversion predicted certain attitudes and PPMs, and that KAP and personality measures did not differ along ethnic or neighborhood lines. Perceptions toward the city's role in mosquito control and education was an important factor in predicting PPMs, suggesting that city culture (attitudes common throughout the city as opposed to attitudes differing by ethnicity and neighborhood) may be most salient in developing public health messaging in San Antonio.</p

Image_1_Personality and city culture predict attitudes and practices toward mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in South Texas.tif

Personality is known to affect compliance with health-protective behaviors and it has been shown that effective public health messaging can be informed by an understanding of that relationship. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the role personality might play in implementing personal protective measures (PPMs) that can prevent mosquito-borne diseases. This is the first mosquito-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) study to incorporate a measure of personality using the Big Five: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. KAP studies in Gulf-coast and Mexican border-states in the U.S. are few. Ours is only the second KAP study to take place in Texas despite known local transmission and established mosquito populations capable of transmitting dengue, zika, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses. The KAP survey was administered in three neighborhoods in San Antonio, a large, Hispanic-majority, urban city that is segregated economically and ecologically. We found that openness, agreeableness, and extraversion predicted certain attitudes and PPMs, and that KAP and personality measures did not differ along ethnic or neighborhood lines. Perceptions toward the city's role in mosquito control and education was an important factor in predicting PPMs, suggesting that city culture (attitudes common throughout the city as opposed to attitudes differing by ethnicity and neighborhood) may be most salient in developing public health messaging in San Antonio.</p

Data_Sheet_2_Personality and city culture predict attitudes and practices toward mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in South Texas.docx

Personality is known to affect compliance with health-protective behaviors and it has been shown that effective public health messaging can be informed by an understanding of that relationship. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the role personality might play in implementing personal protective measures (PPMs) that can prevent mosquito-borne diseases. This is the first mosquito-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) study to incorporate a measure of personality using the Big Five: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. KAP studies in Gulf-coast and Mexican border-states in the U.S. are few. Ours is only the second KAP study to take place in Texas despite known local transmission and established mosquito populations capable of transmitting dengue, zika, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses. The KAP survey was administered in three neighborhoods in San Antonio, a large, Hispanic-majority, urban city that is segregated economically and ecologically. We found that openness, agreeableness, and extraversion predicted certain attitudes and PPMs, and that KAP and personality measures did not differ along ethnic or neighborhood lines. Perceptions toward the city's role in mosquito control and education was an important factor in predicting PPMs, suggesting that city culture (attitudes common throughout the city as opposed to attitudes differing by ethnicity and neighborhood) may be most salient in developing public health messaging in San Antonio.</p

Genetic elimination of dengue vector mosquitoes

An approach based on mosquitoes carrying a conditional dominant lethal gene (release of insects carrying a dominant lethal, RIDL) is being developed to control the transmission of dengue viruses by vector population suppression. A transgenic strain, designated OX3604C, of the major dengue vector, Aedes aegypti, was engineered to have a repressible female-specific flightless phenotype. This strain circumvents the need for radiation-induced sterilization, allows genetic sexing resulting in male-only releases, and permits the release of eggs instead of adult mosquitoes. OX3604C males introduced weekly into large laboratory cages containing stable target mosquito populations at initial ratios of 8.5–10∶1 OX3604C∶target eliminated the populations within 10–20 weeks. These data support the further testing of this strain in contained or confined field trials to evaluate mating competitiveness and environmental and other effects. Successful completion of the field trials should facilitate incorporation of this approach into area-wide dengue control or elimination efforts as a component of an integrated vector management strategy