Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases最新文献

{"title":"Genetic and morphometric differentiation between two morphs of Haematobosca sanguinolenta (Diptera: Muscidae) from Thailand","authors":"Tanasak Changbunjong ,&nbsp;Thekhawet Weluwanarak ,&nbsp;Sedthapong Laojun ,&nbsp;Gerard Duvallet ,&nbsp;Tanawat Chaiphongpachara","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><em>Haematobosca</em> is a genus of biting fly within the subfamily Stomoxyinae of the family Muscidae. It is currently recognized to include 16 species worldwide. These species, acting as ectoparasites, are considered to have significant importance in the veterinary and medical fields. To address the color polymorphism related to the genus <em>Haematobosca</em> in Thailand, herein, we focused on the normal (legs mainly black) and yellow (legs mainly yellow) morphs of <em>Haematobosca sanguinolenta</em> and examined them for genetic differences using three molecular markers: the cytochrome <em>c</em> oxidase subunit 1 (<em>cox</em>1) and cytochrome <em>b</em> (<em>cytb</em>) genes from the mitochondrial genome as well as the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region from the nuclear ribosomal DNA. In addition, we analyzed wing differences between the two morphs using geometric morphometrics (GM). The genetic divergences between the two morphs showed that <em>cytb</em> gene showed the greatest divergence, for which the average distance was 5.6%. This was followed by the combination of <em>cox</em>1-<em>cytb</em>-ITS2, exhibiting an average divergence of 4.5%, ITS2 with a divergence of 4.1%, and finally <em>cox</em>1, showing the lowest divergence of 3.5%. Phylogenetic analyses distinctly separated the two morphs of <em>H. sanguinolenta</em>; this separation was supported by high bootstrap values (97–100%). These results were further corroborated by three species delimitation methods, i.e. assemble species by automatic partitioning (ASAP), automated barcode gap discovery (ABGD), and Poisson tree processes (PTP), all of which suggested that the two morphs likely represent separate species. In addition, a GM study identified a statistically significant difference in wing shape between the two morphs of <em>H. sanguinolenta</em> (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). This combination of genetic and morphometric results strongly supports the existence of two distinct species within <em>H. sanguinolenta</em> in Thailand.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100186"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X24000177/pdfft?md5=711bf24e7378011a6048e9558bbf07c3&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X24000177-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141275910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Behavioural responses of Anopheles gambiae to standard pyrethroid and PBO-treated bednets of different operational ages","authors":"Emma Reid,&nbsp;Frank Mechan,&nbsp;Jeff Jones,&nbsp;Amy Lynd,&nbsp;Janet Hemingway,&nbsp;Philip McCall,&nbsp;David Weetman","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100227","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100227","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To combat pyrethroid insecticide resistance, there has been widespread distribution of pyrethroid-treated bednets (ITNs) co-impregnated with piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a synergist that inhibits enzyme activity to block metabolic resistance. While PBO impacts physiological resistance, mosquito behavioural responses when attempting to blood-feed through nets may be more dependent on net characteristics, in particular the insecticide treatment and operational age of nets. These potentially interacting effects are currently not well characterised. This study aimed to investigate the behavioural responses of <em>Anopheles gambiae</em> to different types of ITNs of different ages to evaluate the relationships between behaviours, insecticide type, age of net and mortality. A pyrethroid-resistant <em>An. gambiae</em> strain originally from Busia, Uganda, was tested with modified WHO cone assays in which a human arm is provided as bait and the trial is video recorded. Using the recordings, movement patterns throughout the cone were monitored to assess net contact and avoidance behaviours. Nets tested were PermaNet 2.0, PermaNet 3.0, Olyset and Olyset Plus, aged 0 months (unused), 12 months, and 25 months post-deployment, all collected from a field trial in Uganda. Our primary hypothesis was that behavioural indices of irritancy would decline with net age as active ingredient concentrations decline, in line with mortality. Knockdown and mortality were highest on baseline nets with PBO and declined thereafter, whereas each was much lower and invariant with age for non-PBO nets. Mosquito movement in the cones was also higher at baseline and declined with age for PBO nets, but not non-PBO nets, indicating an association between mortality and irritancy-induced movement. Baseline nets with PBO also elicited less net contact than older nets, whilst non-PBO nets showed no relationship between net contact and age. PBO nets also elicited irritancy behaviour even after a short period of exposure. In conclusion, the addition of PBO was initially effective in restoring the efficacy of nets, but this relative advantage declined with time, as did the behavioural indices, movement and net contact, suggesting declining irritancy as PBO is lost.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100227"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Micromammals as a reservoir for the zoonotic nematode Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) in recreational areas of Slovakia","authors":"Martina Miterpáková ,&nbsp;Zuzana Hurníková ,&nbsp;Petronela Komorová ,&nbsp;Michal Stanko ,&nbsp;Gabriela Chovancová ,&nbsp;Yaroslav Syrota","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100214","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100214","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The hepatic nematode <em>Calodium hepaticum</em> is a zoonotic parasite primarily parasitising small mammals, but it can infect a wide range of mammal species, including humans. Due to its specific life cycle and transmission pattern, it is one of the least studied helminths in the world. The only documented findings of <em>C. hepaticum</em> from Slovakia (former Czechoslovakia) come from the 60s and 70s of the 20th Century, including nine human cases of the infection reported <em>post-mortem</em>. The present study was conducted in the area of these original records in the Tatra National Park (TANAP) and the Košice Zoo. In TANAP, 484 small mammals of six shrew species (Insectivora: Soricidae) and eight rodent species (Rodentia: Muroidea) were collected. In the Košice Zoo, 163 rodents from 10 species were sampled. All specimens were examined for the presence of <em>C. hepaticum</em> eggs using the artificial digestion method. The parasite was recorded in two shrew species (<em>Sorex araneus</em> and <em>Neomys fodiens</em>) and five rodent species (<em>Arvicola amphibius</em>, <em>Microtus agrestis</em>, <em>Clethrionomys glareolus</em>, <em>Apodemus flavicollis</em>, and <em>Rattus norvegicus</em>) from TANAP, while in the Košice Zoo only a single individual of <em>R. norvegicus</em> was found to be infected.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100214"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142322116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of bio-efficacy of field-aged novel long-lasting insecticidal nets (PBO, chlorfenapyr or pyriproxyfen combined with pyrethroid) against Anopheles gambiae (s.s.) in Tanzania","authors":"Jackline L. Martin ,&nbsp;Louisa A. Messenger ,&nbsp;Edmund Bernard ,&nbsp;Monica Kisamo ,&nbsp;Patric Hape ,&nbsp;Osca Sizya ,&nbsp;Emmanuel Festo ,&nbsp;Wambura Matiku ,&nbsp;Victoria Marcel ,&nbsp;Elizabeth Malya ,&nbsp;Tatu Aziz ,&nbsp;Nancy S. Matowo ,&nbsp;Jacklin F. Mosha ,&nbsp;Franklin W. Mosha ,&nbsp;Mark Rowland ,&nbsp;Alphaxard Manjurano ,&nbsp;Natacha Protopopoff","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100216","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100216","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Next-generation insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) combining two insecticides or an insecticide with a synergist are vital in combating malaria, especially in areas with pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes where standard pyrethroid long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) may be less effective. A community durability study was conducted in Misungwi, Tanzania, during a cluster randomised controlled trial. This study assessed the bio-efficacy of three net brands combining a pyrethroid insecticide and either a synergist PBO for Olyset Plus, or a second insecticide pyriproxyfen for Royal Guard, and chlorfenapyr for Interceptor G2 over three years. These nets were compared to Interceptor, a standard pyrethroid-only net. A total of 1950 nets were enrolled across 10 clusters in each treatment arm. Thirty nets per type were collected every 6 months up to 30 months, with 50 nets sampled at 36 months. WHO cone bioassays and tunnel tests were performed at 0, 12, 24, 30 and 36 months. Both susceptible <em>An. gambiae</em> (<em>s.s.</em>) Kisumu strain and resistant <em>An. gambiae</em> (<em>s.s.</em>) Muleba-Kis strain were exposed. Over 80% of nets tested against the susceptible Kisumu strain met the WHO criteria after three years of community use. In tunnel tests, mortality (72 h) of the resistant <em>Anopheles</em> varied between 52% and 20%, in Interceptor G2 and was higher than standard Interceptor net up to 24 months. Olyset Plus mortality (24 h) ranged between 84% and 33% in tunnel tests with superior efficacy compared to Interceptor at 0, 24 and 36 months. Sterility effects in Royal Guard were higher when these nets were new and at six months but decreased to less than 10% after 12 months. Royal Guard consistently induced higher mortality compared to Interceptor up to 30 months while next-generation ITNs demonstrated higher efficacy in terms of mortality compared to standard LLINs against resistant strains; this superior bio-efficacy did not persist for the full three years. The impact of active ingredient (dual-AI) and PBO diminished relatively quickly. Aside from the initial period when the nets were new, the differences in mortality for Interceptor G2 and Olyset Plus and in sterility for Royal Guard, compared to the standard LLINs, were relatively small thereafter.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100216"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142322114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An abortion storm in a goat farm in the Northeast Region of Brazil was caused by the atypical Toxoplasma gondii genotype #13","authors":"Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela ,&nbsp;Thais Ferreira Feitosa ,&nbsp;Sara Vilar Dantas Simões ,&nbsp;Rinaldo Aparecido Mota ,&nbsp;Frank Katzer ,&nbsp;Paul M. Bartley","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100157","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100157","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The objective of this study was to characterise a <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>-induced abortion outbreak on a goat farm in the State of Paraíba, Northeast Region of Brazil. From a herd of 10 does, seven experienced abortions and one gave birth to twins (one stillborn and the other weak and underdeveloped). Serum samples from all of the does were analysed by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Samples of colostrum and placenta from two does, along with lung, heart, brain and umbilical cord samples from four of the foetuses, were screened by nested ITS1 PCR specific for <em>T. gondii</em>. The positive samples were then analysed by multiplex nested PCR-RFLP. All ten does tested positive by IFAT for anti-<em>T. gondii</em> IgG (titrations ranging from 1:4096 to 1:65,536). The ITS1 PCR screening revealed <em>T. gondii</em> DNA in the placenta (2/2), colostrum (2/2), umbilical cord (2/4), lung (1/4), heart (1/4), and brain (1/4). Four samples produced complete RFLP genotyping results, identifying a single genotype, ToxoDB #13. In conclusion, we demonstrated a high rate of abortion caused by <em>T. gondii</em> in a goat herd, highlighting the pathogenicity of genotype #13, one of the most prevalent genotypes of <em>T. gondii</em> in Brazil.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100157"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X23000456/pdfft?md5=8147f5093a79bafcbbccfd96d8ef1289&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X23000456-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138992286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Laser-based selective killing of a manipulative parasite reveals partial reversibility of phenotypic alterations in its intermediate host","authors":"Marie-Jeanne Perrot-Minnot ,&nbsp;Frank Cézilly ,&nbsp;Olivier Musset","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100221","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100221","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Various parasites alter their intermediate hostʼs phenotype in ways that increase parasite transmission to definitive hosts. To what extent infected intermediate hosts can recover from such “manipulation” is poorly documented, thus limiting our understanding of its proximate and ultimate causes. Here, we address the reversibility of several phenotypic alterations induced by the acanthocephalan <em>Polymorphus minutus</em>, a trophically-transmitted bird parasite, in its amphipod intermediate host. Using a recently developed laser-based technology, we selectively killed parasite larvae inside the body cavity of <em>Gammarus fossarum</em>, while preserving host viability. Following behavioral tests, parasite death was confirmed using DNA integrity assays. Alterations of geotaxis, locomotor activity and resting metabolic rate in infected gammarids remained unchanged one month after parasiteʼs death. In contrast, elevated brain lactate concentration and hemolymph total phenoloxidase activity of treated gammarids hosting a dead cystacanth returned to control (uninfected) levels. Interestingly, melanotic encapsulation response to dead cystacanths was rare up to two months after treatment, with only 5.6% of cystacanths being fully or partially melanized, thus suggesting long-lasting protection from the acellular outer envelope. Irreversible behavioral but reversible physiological alterations appear to be a cost-effective strategy of host manipulation, and point to a putative role of epigenetic alterations in parasite manipulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100221"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142698302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Public knowledge and awareness of tick-borne pathogens and diseases: A cross-sectional study in Ghana","authors":"Theophilus Yaw Alale ,&nbsp;Jani J. Sormunen ,&nbsp;Joseph Nzeh ,&nbsp;Richard Osei Agjei ,&nbsp;Eero J. Vesterinen ,&nbsp;Tero Klemola","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100228","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100228","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a significant and increasing health threat globally. About 45 tick species have been described from Ghana, located in sub-Saharan Africa, but it is unknown how well-informed local citizens are regarding the risks posed by ticks and TBDs. Utilizing a cross-sectional design with questionnaires, this study assessed the public knowledge and awareness of ticks, tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and TBDs in Ghana. With demographic background data, we received knowledge responses from 537 respondents across all 16 regions of Ghana through an electronic survey and structured interview questionnaire. Descriptive table statistics were used to tabulate frequencies and percentages of all categorical responses and more closely tested for associations between certain variable pairs. Our results showed that 88% of respondents kept at least one animal species irrespective of being a farmer or not. Of all respondents, over 70% (<em>n</em> = 352) were not aware of TBDs in humans while over 50% (<em>n</em> = 289) indicated their awareness of TBDs in animals. Interestingly, we found a significant association between age group and awareness of TBDs in animals. Furthermore, the results highlighted the association between domestic animal ownership and increased human-tick encounters. These findings suggest a need for targeted public education on TBDs in Ghana. As Ghana imports livestock, the risk of TBD spread demands attention. Overall, the survey contributes essential insights for veterinary and public health interventions, stressing the urgency of raising awareness and understanding among the public regarding the risks associated with ticks and TBDs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100228"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142660489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development, validation, and pilot application of a high throughput molecular xenomonitoring assay to detect Schistosoma mansoni and other trematode species within Biomphalaria freshwater snail hosts","authors":"John Archer ,&nbsp;Shi Min Yeo ,&nbsp;Grace Gadd ,&nbsp;Tom Pennance ,&nbsp;Lucas J. Cunningham ,&nbsp;Alexandra Juhàsz ,&nbsp;Sam Jones ,&nbsp;Priscilla Chammudzi ,&nbsp;Donales R. Kapira ,&nbsp;David Lally ,&nbsp;Gladys Namacha ,&nbsp;Bright Mainga ,&nbsp;Peter Makaula ,&nbsp;James E. LaCourse ,&nbsp;Sekeleghe A. Kayuni ,&nbsp;Janelisa Musaya ,&nbsp;J. Russell Stothard ,&nbsp;Bonnie L. Webster","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by infection with parasitic trematodes of the genus <em>Schistosoma</em> that can lead to debilitating morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization recommend molecular xenomonitoring of <em>Biomphalaria</em> spp. freshwater snail intermediate hosts of <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> to identify highly focal intestinal schistosomiasis transmission sites and monitor disease transmission, particularly in low-endemicity areas. A standardised protocol to do this, however, is needed. Here, two previously published primer sets were selected to develop and validate a multiplex molecular xenomonitoring end-point PCR assay capable of detecting <em>S. mansoni</em> infections within individual <em>Biomphalaria</em> spp. missed by cercarial shedding. The assay proved highly sensitive and highly specific in detecting and amplifying <em>S. mansoni</em> DNA and also proved highly sensitive in detecting and amplifying non-<em>S. mansoni</em> trematode DNA. The optimised assay was then used to screen <em>Biomphalaria</em> spp. collected from a <em>S. mansoni-</em>endemic area for infection and successfully detected <em>S. mansoni</em> infections missed by cercarial shedding as well as infections with non-<em>S. mansoni</em> trematodes. The continued development and use of molecular xenomonitoring assays such as this will aid in improving disease control efforts, significantly reducing disease-related morbidities experienced by those in schistosomiasis-endemic areas.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100174"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X24000050/pdfft?md5=acd5d280b300a614593b3227aad82fdb&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X24000050-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140270138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First insights into using outline-based geometric morphometrics of wing cell contours to distinguish three morphologically similar species of Tabanus (Diptera: Tabanidae)","authors":"Tanasak Changbunjong ,&nbsp;Thekhawet Weluwanarak ,&nbsp;Tanawat Chaiphongpachara","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100218","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100218","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate species identification of horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) is crucial due to their role as vectors for various pathogens, which is essential for understanding their biology, devising strategies to control their populations, and enhancing disease surveillance. This study assessed the efficacy of outline-based geometric morphometrics (GM) by analyzing the wing cell contours of discal, first submarginal, and second submarginal cells to distinguish three morphologically similar <em>Tabanus</em> species commonly found in Thailand, <em>T. megalops</em>, <em>T. rubidus</em>, and <em>T. striatus</em>. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant size differences between <em>T. rubidus</em> and the two other species (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), with <em>T. rubidus</em> exhibiting larger wing cells. <em>Tabanus megalops</em> and <em>T. striatus</em> had similar sizes; their size differences were not statistically significant. The accuracy of size analysis based on validated classification tests was relatively low, ranging from 64.67% to 68.67%. Nonetheless, all wing cell contours showed significant shape differences between the three species, as confirmed by Mahalanobis distance comparisons using 1000 permutation tests (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). The shape of the first submarginal cell contour showed the highest classification accuracy (86.67%). Outline-based GM offers a significant advantage for analyzing fly specimens with incomplete wings that have intact cells. For damaged specimens, analyzing the contour of the first submarginal cell through this technique can be a viable alternative.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100218"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142420475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ixodes ricinus tick presence is associated with abiotic but not biotic factors","authors":"Nannet D. Fabri ,&nbsp;Tim R. Hofmeester ,&nbsp;Frauke Ecke ,&nbsp;Hein Sprong ,&nbsp;Jordi Timmermans ,&nbsp;Hans Heesterbeek ,&nbsp;Joris P.G.M. Cromsigt","doi":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100206","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100206","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Species composition and densities of wild ungulate communities in Europe have changed over the last decades. As ungulates play an important role in the life-cycle of the tick species <em>Ixodes ricinus</em>, these changes could affect both the life-cycle of <em>I. ricinus</em> and the transmission of tick-borne pathogens like <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> (<em>s.l.</em>) and <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em>. Due to morphological and behavioural differences among the ungulate species, these species might have different effects on the densities of questing <em>I. ricinus</em>, either directly through a bloodmeal or indirectly <em>via</em> the impact of ungulates on rodent numbers <em>via</em> the vegetation. In this study, we aimed to investigate these direct and indirect effects of five different ungulate species, fallow deer (<em>Dama dama</em>), roe deer (<em>Capreolus capreolus</em>), red deer (<em>Cervus elaphus</em>), moose (<em>Alces alces</em>), and wild boar (<em>Sus scrofa</em>), on the presence and abundance of <em>I. ricinus</em> ticks. In the summer of 2019, on 20 1 × 1 km transects in south-central Sweden that differed in ungulate community composition, we collected data on tick presence and abundance (by dragging a cloth), ungulate community composition (using camera traps), vegetation height (using the drop-disc method), temperature above field layer and rodent abundance (by snap-trapping). Using generalized linear mixed models we did not find any associations between vegetation height and tick presence/abundance or ungulate visitation frequencies, or between ungulate visitation frequencies and the presence/abundance of questing <em>I. ricinus</em>. The power of our analyses was, however, low due to very low tick and rodent numbers. We did find a negative association between adult ticks and air temperature, where we were more likely to find adult ticks if temperature in the field layer was lower. We conclude that more elaborate long-term studies are needed to elucidate the investigated associations. Such future studies should differentiate among the potential impacts of different ungulate species instead of treating all ungulate species as one group.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":94311,"journal":{"name":"Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100206"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X24000372/pdfft?md5=d78d97c867c1e26c504c7c612f324270&pid=1-s2.0-S2667114X24000372-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141978312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}