Vector borne and zoonotic diseases最新文献

{"title":"Analysis of Japanese Encephalitis Vector Ecology, Host Serology, and Viral Genetic Characteristics in Hunan Province, China.","authors":"Rongjiao Liu, Fangling He, Juan Wang, Mingli Fang, Zhifei Zhan, Jing Xiang, Qiuzhong Luo, Xiaobo Ou, Yaru Xiong, Fangcai Li, Yi Huang, Liang Cai","doi":"10.1177/15303667261425602","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15303667261425602","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and transmission risk of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in Hunan Province by analyzing mosquito population distribution, piglet serological profiles, and the phylogenetic features of circulating JEV strains.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Mosquito and piglet serum samples were collected from five prefecture-level cities in Hunan Province. Mosquito species were identified and their densities were measured. Piglet serum samples were tested for JEV antibodies. Detected JEV strains from mosquitoes were sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Culex pipiens pallens/quinquefasciatus (65.65%) and Culex tritaeniorhynchus(12.93%) were the dominant mosquito species. The highest mosquito density was observed in pigpens (26.0 mosquitoes/light trap-night). The JEV antibody positivity rate in piglets began to rise in June, peaked in September (83.33%), and lagged two months behind the peak mosquito density (June-July). A significant temporal correlation was found between piglet antibody positivity and mosquito density (*p* < 0.05). Phylogenetic analysis showed that all mosquito-derived JEV strains belonged to genotype I (GI), with 15-17 amino acid mutations in the E gene compared to the vaccine strain SA14-14-2.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is a persistent JEV transmission risk in Hunan Province. These findings provide critical insights for local vector control, vaccine optimization, and piglet immunization strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"15303667261425602"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147843510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology and Clinical Outcomes of Pediatric Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey: A Retrospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Esra Cakmak Taskin","doi":"10.1177/15303667261449283","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15303667261449283","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic tick-borne disease endemic in Türkiye with expanding geographic distribution. Pediatric data remain limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study included children (<18 years) with Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or Immunoglobulin M (IgM)-confirmed CCHF hospitalized in a tertiary referral center in eastern Türkiye between January 2021 and December 2022. Demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained from electronic medical records using a standardized data collection form. Patients were grouped according to ribavirin use.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-one children were included; 85% were male. The mean age was 164.7 ± 44.7 months. The mean duration of hospitalization was 10.1 ± 2.9 days. Most patients (90%) were involved in animal husbandry, and 57% reported self-removal of ticks. Generalized fatigue (100%), fever (95%), and headache/myalgia (66.7%) were the most common symptoms. The mean duration of fever was 2.62 ± 1.43 days. Hemorrhagic manifestations occurred in 42.9% of patients. Thrombocytopenia developed in 81% of cases. Ribavirin was administered in 72% of patients, with varying durations. No statistically significant difference was observed between ribavirin groups in terms of hospitalization duration or fever duration. However, a shorter duration of cytopenias was observed in the short-course (2-7 days) group. No patients required intensive care unit admission, and no mortality occurred.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Pediatric CCHF in endemic regions is strongly associated with environmental and behavioral exposures, particularly livestock contact and tick handling. The disease course appears milder compared to adults, with excellent outcomes under supportive care. Ribavirin use was not associated with improved clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"15303667261449283"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147843529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Confirmation and Sequencing of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ticks in Armenia (2022-2024).","authors":"Arsen Manucharyan, Gayane Melik-Andreasyan, Stepan Atoyan, Ruben Danielyan","doi":"10.1177/15303667261449543","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15303667261449543","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an emerging tick-borne disease with a growing global distribution. In Armenia, 31 Ixodidae tick species have been identified, including <i>Hyalomma</i> species. While CCHF virus (CCHFV) was previously isolated from ticks in the 1970s, no further studies were conducted until 2016, when antibody to CCHFV was identified.This study aimed to update data on the Ixodidae tick species, detect CCHFV in collected specimens, and perform molecular characterization of viral lineages circulating in Armenia during 2022-2024.Epizootiological investigations were performed across all 10 regions of Armenia. Fieldwork involved the collection of Ixodidae ticks, followed by morphological identification and testing of specimens. A total of 550 animals (including cattle, sheep, and horses) and surrounding open habitats were surveyed, resulting in the collection of 3158 Ixodidae ticks representing 12 species. These samples were organized into 960 pools and tested via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for CCHFV. Viral RNA was detected in 96 pools, all originating from ticks collected from cattle and representing 8 species. Positive samples were confined to two regions: Syunik and Tavush. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of two CCHFV lineages in Armenia: Europe 1 (Subgroup V) and Europe 3 (Subgroup VII).Armenia's climatic and geographic diversity, expanding land use, population mobility, and growing tourism highlight the need for continued surveillance. The present identification of CCHFV in ticks in two regions emphasizes the importance of ongoing epizootiological monitoring and molecular characterization to assess the broader epidemic risk across the country.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"15303667261449543"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147821354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global Patterns and Predictors of Zoonotic Disease Burden Based on a Multi-Indicator Analysis from Global Burden of Disease 2021.","authors":"Haoning Wang, Yuhan Wang, Yufei Li, Xi Chen, Xiaodi Wang, Shaopeng Yu, Xiaolong Wang","doi":"10.1177/15303667261419557","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261419557","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Zoonotic diseases represent a major concern for global public health with marked variation in their burden observed across different regions and population groups.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study investigated the global distribution and determinants of zoonotic diseases using datasets from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study and the WHO Global Health Observatory databases. We evaluated the roles of sex, age, and the sociodemographic index (SDI) on zoonotic disease burden by examining incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years, and mortality data across 201 nations. The statistical approach incorporated Spearman correlation, multivariate regression models, and stratified time-series forecasting to 2040.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed a higher disease burden in Africa, South Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia, particularly among older males in low-SDI regions. A strong inverse association was observed between SDI and zoonotic disease burden, with improved health coverage and physician density linked to lower morbidity and mortality. Predictive models indicated a gradual global decline in disease burden, although progress varied significantly by region.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results underscore the urgency of implementing equity-oriented interventions and inform strategic resource allocation that gives precedence to prioritizing vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"245-252"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146214282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Genotype of <i>Pentatrichomonas hominis</i> in Farmed Arctic Foxes (<i>Vulpes lagopus</i>) in Northern China.","authors":"Qing-Yu Hou, Hai-Tao Wang, Xiao-Lei Lu, Jing Jiang, Yun-Fei Wang, Guang-Rong Bao, Ya Qin, Shuo Liu, Lin Li, Yi-Yang Wang, Lin Jin, Miao-Miao Zhang, Xiao-Xuan Zhang, Hong-Bo Ni, He Ma","doi":"10.1177/15303667261421277","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261421277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As a zoonotic protozoan, <i>Pentatrichomonas hominis</i> has been implicated in gastrointestinal diseases, typically residing in the cecum or colon of diverse vertebrate hosts. Nevertheless, information regarding its prevalence and genotypic distribution in farmed foxes (<i>Vulpes lagopus</i>) remains limited. Fresh fecal samples (<i>n</i> = 352) from farmed foxes in northern China were analyzed for <i>P. hominis</i> via nested PCR. The overall prevalence was 15.62% (55/352). Infection rates were 12.09% (22/182) in adults and 19.41% (33/170) in juveniles. The prevalence exhibited seasonal fluctuations, ranging from 10.90% to 25.24%, with the highest prevalence observed in autumn. Foxes with diarrhea exhibited a significantly higher infection rate (33.78%, 25/74) than those without (10.79%, 30/278). Prevalence varied across regions, with the highest rates in Jilin (30.00%, 12/40), followed by Shandong (26.88%, 25/93), Hebei (12.90%, 12/93), Liaoning (6.33%, 5/79), and Heilongjiang (2.13%, 1/47). All positive samples were grouped into the zoonotic CC1 genotype based on phylogenetic analysis. This study offers novel epidemiological insights into <i>P. hominis</i> occurrence among farmed foxes in northern China and underpins the advancement of specific approaches for its detection and control.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"272-276"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses to the Conjunctival <i>Brucella abortus</i> S19 Vaccine in Türkiye.","authors":"Ediz Kağan Özgen, Yasemin Erdoğan, Lütfullah Celep, Sebahattin Akça, Alpay Karaçuhalılar, Ömer Alkanoğlu, Ramazan Kutlu, Ercan Atalay, Mehmet Özkan Timurkan, Şerafettin Çakal, Murat Yıldırım, Berna Yanmaz, Hüseyin Çalık, Mehtap Demirler, Mehmet Cemal Adıgüzel, Cihan Öz, Seyda Cengiz","doi":"10.1177/15303667261419583","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261419583","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection caused by <i>Brucella</i> species, which have been identified in various hosts and are associated with significant economic losses. The control of bovine brucellosis in Türkiye has primarily relied on the administration of the <i>Brucella abortus</i> S19 vaccine via the conjunctival route. The present study investigates the humoral immune response induced by the administration to cattle of the vaccine produced in Türkiye, with the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a complement fixation test (CFT), and evaluates cellular immunity through flow cytometry methods.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>For the purpose of the study, blood samples were collected from 20 nonvaccinated calves aged 3-6 months housed at the Eastern Anatolian Agricultural Research Institute, and from 20 vaccinated calves on days 0, 14, and 28, and months 3, 6, 9, and 12 following vaccination. RBPT, iELISA, and CFT were used to evaluate humoral immunity, and the flow cytometric analysis for the evaluation of cellular immunity included the measurement of CD4⁺, CD8⁺ and CD14⁺ cell populations, as well as CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺, CD8⁺IFN-γ⁺, and CD14⁺IL-12⁺ levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed an increase in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell populations, along with elevated IFN-γ⁺ and IL-12⁺ cytokine levels in vaccinated animals, which are critically important for the development of cellular immunity. Also observed was a very low rate of vaccine-associated antibody positivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study showed that conjunctival vaccination of calves with locally produced <i>B. abortus</i> S19 enhanced cellular immunity (CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD14⁺, IL-12, IFN-γ) but induced minimal detectable antibody responses.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"253-260"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146150680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mosquito Species Composition at a Zoological Park in South Carolina, USA, August-December 2023.","authors":"Katherine Brown, Emily Owens Pickle, Sean Sweeny, Lídia Gual-Gonzalez, Kyndall Dye-Braumuller, Martha Weber, Melissa S Nolan","doi":"10.1177/15303667261424694","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261424694","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Zoological parks offer unique opportunities to monitor arthropod vectors and assess risks to native and exotic animal populations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From August to December 2023, a prospective surveillance initiative was conducted at Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens, South Carolina's largest zoological park. Adult mosquitoes were collected near animal enclosures using CO₂-baited CDC miniature light traps. Pools of <i>Culex</i> spp. were screened for West Nile virus with rapid analyte measurement platform assays.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 597 mosquitoes representing 17 species were collected. All <i>Culex</i> pools tested negative for West Nile virus.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite routine mosquito abatement, a diverse assemblage of species was documented. Continued surveillance in zoological settings can clarify vector-borne disease dynamics and emerging threats to both humans and animals. Future studies should assess insecticide resistance and expand arboviral testing to strengthen prevention and mitigation strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"297-299"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146158346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Camels at Livestock Markets in Border Regions, Nigeria, 2023-2024.","authors":"David O Ehizibolo, Olumuyiwa Oyekan, Nicodemus Mkpuma, Habibu Haliru, Dorcas A Gado, Isa Z Turaki, Ibrahim Garba, Elizabeth E Williams, Agom Danmarwa, Monica Onoja, Abdullahi Ardo, Bala Akawu, Abdullahi Mohammed, Musa A Muhammad, Mansur Abubakar, Aminu Shittu, Mohammed U Sajo, Maryam Muhammad, Corrie Brown, Bonto Faburay","doi":"10.1177/15303667261420069","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261420069","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a highly fatal, tick-borne zoonosis in humans for which no licensed vaccines exist. Camels are important hosts of Hyalomma ticks, yet data on their role in CCHF epidemiology in Nigeria are limited. This study assessed seroprevalence and risk factors of the CCHF virus (CCHFV) in camels from major livestock markets in northern Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>From June 2023 to July 2024, 812 camels were sampled during 54 weekly visits to Maiduguri (Borno), Maigatari (Jigawa), and Illela (Sokoto) livestock markets. Epidemiological data (sex, age, origin, and tick infestation) were recorded for each sampled camel. Serum samples were tested using ID Screen CCHF double antigen Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied to identify predictors of seropositivity (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CCHFV antibodies were detected in 89.4% of camels (95% CI: 87.1-91.4%). Prevalence was highest in Maiduguri (94.2%), followed by Maigatari (92.0%) and Illela (80.4%). Females (94.1%) had higher seropositivity than males (84.9%), and adults (>48 months) exceeded younger camels (94.3% vs. 81.7%). Tick infestation was strongly associated with seropositivity. Multivariable analysis showed younger age (OR = 0.35, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.19-0.66), male sex (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.18-0.60), and absence of ticks (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.26-0.81) were significantly linked to reduced odds of seropositivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The very high seroprevalence observed in camels suggests that they may contribute to the epidemiology of CCHF in northern Nigeria. Although cultural practices such as consumption of raw camel milk and urine are common, their role in CCHFV transmission remains uncertain; therefore, further studies are recommended to investigate their potential epidemiological significance. Strengthening One Health-based surveillance, vector control, and public education is critical to reducing zoonotic transmission and protecting human and animal health.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"290-296"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decoding the Human Kinases of Chikungunya Viral Proteins.","authors":"Akash Anil, Vineetha Shaji, Ayisha Abdul Jabbar, Prathik Basthikoppa Shivamurthy, Yashwanth Subbanayya, Rajesh Raju, Abhithaj Jayanandan, Sowmya Soman","doi":"10.1177/15303667261420004","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261420004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreaks have affected the global population and demand effective antiviral strategies. Exploring the molecular mechanisms associated with its pathogenesis through modulation of host response is essential for the development of efficient antiviral interventions. Although CHIKV-encoded kinases are not perceived, the phosphorylation of CHIKV proteins in hosts is reported. Hence, elucidating the signaling cross-talks between host kinases and viral proteins provides opportunities for targeted therapeutic strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Toward this, we predicted the phosphosites in CHIKV proteins and their potential host kinases using multiple prediction tools, followed by a human kinase substrate phosphomotif pattern analysis to identify putative kinase interactions. The phosphoproteome of CHIKV and CHIKV-infected host cells and further the host-viral interactome were analyzed in conjunction with kinase inhibition assays to identify host kinases associated with their infection. Subsequently, <i>in silico</i> protein-protein docking was performed between the selected kinases and viral proteins to identify potential interactions.</p><p><strong>Results and conclusion: </strong><i>In silico</i> analysis revealed Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), Protein kinase C alpha (PRKCA), and Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (EEF2K) as major host kinases of specific phosphosites in CHIKV proteins. Putative kinases were also predicted for the reported phosphorylation sites in the CHIKV phosphoproteome. This study reveals that host kinases may phosphorylate substrates critical to CHIKV persistence and pathogenesis and emphasizes the potential of targeting host kinases as an adjunct to antiviral strategies. Our approach demonstrates the utility of kinase substrate specificity modeling to identify host kinases that can interact with viral proteins for their selection as drug-repurposable targets, particularly for variants and viruses without efficient/approved vaccines.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"277-289"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surveillance of <i>Leishmania</i> spp., Assessment in Sand Flies and Rodents, and Intervention Measures Using Drones During an Outbreak of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Southern Israel.","authors":"Gabriela Kleinerman, Lavie Chaim, Shirly Elbaz, Laor Orshan, Sagi Gavriel, Yoav Motro, Yaarit Nachum-Biala, Oscar D Kirstein, Sivan Melloul, Sagi Gilboa, Noy Moscovici, Yacov Sachter, Migal Tighe, Dan Grinstein, Yuval L Michaeli, Roi G Kaufman, Shani E Mergy, Nufar Dagan, Gad Baneth","doi":"10.1177/15303667261419572","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15303667261419572","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Leishmania major</i> and <i>Leishmania infantum</i> infection were evaluated in sand flies and rodents during a cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) outbreak in two military camps in southern Israel (2022-2023). The efficacy of a novel intervention combining drone-based pesticide application and rodent bait stations was assessed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sand flies and rodents were sampled and tested for <i>Leishmania</i> by PCR and DNA sequencing. In April 2023, precision spreading of pesticides via drones and bait stations targeting <i>Meriones tristrami</i> and <i>Mus musculus domesticus</i> was done in camp 2, while camp 1 served as control. <i>Leishmania</i> infection rates in vectors and reservoirs were compared before and after intervention, alongside CL incidence in soldiers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 7,204 female <i>Phlebotomus papatasi</i> were analyzed. The minimal infection rate of <i>L. major</i> in camp 2 declined from 1.23 in 2022 to 0.03 post-iinterventionin 2023 (<i>p</i> = 0.034). In camp 1, no significant change occurred (0.50 in 2022 vs. 0.22 in 2023, <i>p</i> = 0.622). Among 63 rodents, 8 (12.7%) were infected: five with <i>L. infantum</i> (2/11 <i>M. musculus domesticus</i> [18.2%] and 3/52 <i>M. tristrami</i> [6%]) and three <i>M. tristrami</i> (6%) with <i>L. major</i>. Overall rodent infection declined significantly from 24.1% in 2022 to 2.9% in 2023 (<i>p</i> = 0.032), with camp 2 showing the most pronounced reduction (31.6% vs. 3.3%, <i>p</i> = 0.02). Human CL incidence also dropped significantly: in camp 1, from 17.1 to 2.6/1000, and in camp 2, from 33.3 to 4.9/1000 (<i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Significant reductions in <i>Leishmania</i> infection were observed in vectors, reservoirs, and humans following the intervention. Although CL dynamics are influenced by multiple factors, these findings support the potential of drone-based and host-targeted approaches for integrated leishmaniasis control. Further studies are required to validate and optimize such technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23683,"journal":{"name":"Vector borne and zoonotic diseases","volume":" ","pages":"261-271"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147356866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}