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Pathogens
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Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors
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Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 29663

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rubén Bueno-Marí

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Research and Development Department (R&D), Laboratorios Lokímica, Paterna (Valencia), Spain
2. Parasitology Area, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology Department, University of Valencia, Burjassot (Valencia), Spain
Interests: arthropods; insect vectors; vector-borne diseases; vector control; medical entomology; arboviruses; insecticides
Dr. Daniel Bravo-Barriga

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Animal Health Department, School of Veterinary Sciences of Cáceres, University of Extremadura (UEx), Cáceres, Spain
Interests: arthropods; insect vectors; vector-borne diseases; vector control; medical entomology; arboviruses
Prof. Dr. Rodrigo Morchón García

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Zoonotic Disease and One Heatlh Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Miguel Unamuno, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
Interests: human-animals interactions; parasitology; zoonotic parasite; one health; vector-borne disease; host-parasite relationship
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are infections caused by several pathogens including parasites, viruses and bacteria, which are transmitted by the bite of infected arthropod species, such as mosquitoes, biting flies (sandflies, blackflies), ticks, fleas, lice, and triatomine bugs, among others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), VBDs account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases worldwide, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually. For many of these diseases, vector control programs represent the most relevant preventive strategies. since no vaccines or alternative pharmacological treatments are available.

Culicid mosquitoes are the most important biological vectors in terms of morbidity and mortality of associated diseases. It is estimated than around 219 million malaria cases transmitted by anophelines mosquitoes occur globally and result in more than 400,000 deaths every year. Dengue is the most prevalent viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, but other arboviruses such as Zika, Chikungunya or Mayaro have also expanded in recent years. The situation with West Nile virus (mostly linked to Culex mosquitoes) is similar, and this zoonosis is currently considered endemic not only in the original foci of Africa, but also in other continents such as Europe or America.

Beyond mosquitoes, sandflies and ticks can be highlighted due to their role in the transmission of diseases that cause thousands of human cases yearly in some regions of the planet, such as leishmaniasis and tick-borne encephalitis/Lyme disease.

For this Special Issue of Pathogens, we invite authors to submit original research, review articles, short notes, or communications related to all aspects linked to vectors, including bionomic studies, surveillance projects, control experiences, and vector–pathogen interaction.

We look forward to your contribution.

Dr. Rubén Bueno-Marí
Dr. Daniel Bravo-Barriga
Dr. Rodrigo Morchón
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • insect vectors
  • vector-borne diseases
  • vector control
  • medical entomology
  • arboviruses
  • insecticides
  • mosquitoes
  • blackflies
  • sandflies
  • ticks

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 208 KiB  
Editorial
Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors
by Rodrigo Morchón, Rubén Bueno-Marí and Daniel Bravo-Barriga
Pathogens 2023, 12(6), 797; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens12060797 - 02 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1639
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases result from the transmission of pathogens, including bacteria, parasites or viruses, by different hematophagous insects such as mosquitoes, phlebotomine sandflies, black flies, ticks, fleas, lice and triatomines, among others [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors)

Research

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10 pages, 5825 KiB  
Article
Sterility of Aedes albopictus by X-ray Irradiation as an Alternative to γ-ray Irradiation for the Sterile Insect Technique
by Lin-Min Wang, Ni Li, Cui-Ping Ren, Zhe-Yu Peng, Hong-Zheng Lu, Dong Li, Xin-Yu Wu, Zi-Xin Zhou, Jian-Yi Deng, Zi-Han Zheng, Ruo-Qing Wang, Yi-Nan Du, Duo-Quan Wang and Sheng-Qun Deng
Pathogens 2023, 12(1), 102; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens12010102 - 06 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2492
Abstract
The mosquito Aedes albopictus can transmit various arboviral diseases, posing a severe threat to human health. As an environmentally friendly method, sterile insect technology (SIT) is considered an alternative to traditional methods such as chemical pesticides to control Ae. albopictus. In SIT, [...] Read more.
The mosquito Aedes albopictus can transmit various arboviral diseases, posing a severe threat to human health. As an environmentally friendly method, sterile insect technology (SIT) is considered an alternative to traditional methods such as chemical pesticides to control Ae. albopictus. In SIT, the sterility of male mosquitoes can be achieved by γ-ray or X-ray radiation. Compared with γ-rays, X-rays are easier to obtain, cheaper, and less harmful. However, there is a lack of comparative assessment of these two types of radiation for SIT under the same controlled conditions. Here, we compared the effects of X-ray and γ-ray radiation on the sterility of Ae. albopictus males under laboratory-controlled conditions. Neither type of radiation affected the number of eggs but significantly reduced the survival time and hatch rate. The same dose of γ-rays caused a higher sterility effect on males than X-rays but had a more significant impact on survival. However, X-rays could achieve the same sterility effect as γ-rays by increasing the radiation dose. For example, X-rays of 60 Gy induced 99% sterility, similar to γ-rays of 40 Gy. In the test of male mating competitiveness, the induced sterility and the male mating competitiveness index were also identical at the same release ratio (sterile males/fertile males). At a release ratio of 7:1, nearly 80% of eggs failed to hatch. Sterile males produced by X-ray and γ-ray radiation had similar male competitiveness in competition with field males. In conclusion, a higher dose of X-rays is required to achieve the same sterility effect, compared to γ-rays. When γ-rays are not readily available, high-dose X-rays can be used instead. This study provides data supporting the selection of more suitable radiation for the field release of sterile male mosquitoes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors)
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11 pages, 589 KiB  
Article
Low Transmission of Chikungunya Virus by Aedes aegypti from Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
by Elodie Calvez, Elliott F. Miot, Sitsana Keosenhom, Vaekey Vungkyly, Souksakhone Viengphouthong, Phaithong Bounmany, Paul T. Brey, Sébastien Marcombe and Marc Grandadam
Pathogens 2023, 12(1), 31; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens12010031 - 25 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1491
Abstract
In 2012–2013, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was the cause of a major outbreak in the southern part of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Since then, only a few imported cases, with isolates belonging to different lineages, were recorded between 2014 and 2020 in [...] Read more.
In 2012–2013, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was the cause of a major outbreak in the southern part of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Since then, only a few imported cases, with isolates belonging to different lineages, were recorded between 2014 and 2020 in Vientiane capital and few autochthonous cases of ECSA-IOL lineage were detected in the south of the country in 2020. The CHIKV epidemiological profile contrasts with the continuous and intensive circulation of dengue virus in the country, especially in Vientiane capital. The study’s aim was to investigate the ability of the local field-derived Aedes aegypti population from Vientiane capital to transmit the Asian and ECSA-IOL lineages of CHIKV. Our results revealed that, for both CHIKV lineages, infection rates were low and dissemination rates were high. The transmission rates and efficiencies evidenced a low vector competence for the CHIKV tested. Although this population of Ae. aegypti showed a relatively modest vector competence for these two CHIKV lineages, several other factors could influence arbovirus emergence such as the longevity and density of female mosquitoes. Due to the active circulation of CHIKV in Southeast Asia, investigations on these factors should be done to prevent the risk of CHIKV emergence and spread in Lao PDR and neighboring countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors)
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12 pages, 14793 KiB  
Article
Entomo-Virological Aedes aegypti Surveillance Applied for Prediction of Dengue Transmission: A Spatio-Temporal Modeling Study
by André de Souza Leandro, Mario J. C. Ayala, Renata Defante Lopes, Caroline Amaral Martins, Rafael Maciel-de-Freitas and Daniel A. M. Villela
Pathogens 2023, 12(1), 4; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens12010004 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1661
Abstract
Currently, DENV transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti affects approximately one in three people annually. The spatio-temporal heterogeneity of vector infestation and the intensity of arbovirus transmission require surveillance capable of predicting an outbreak. In this work, we used data from 4 years of [...] Read more.
Currently, DENV transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti affects approximately one in three people annually. The spatio-temporal heterogeneity of vector infestation and the intensity of arbovirus transmission require surveillance capable of predicting an outbreak. In this work, we used data from 4 years of reported dengue cases and entomological indicators of adult Aedes collected from approximately 3500 traps installed in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, to evaluate the spatial and temporal association between vector infestation and the occurrence of dengue cases. Entomological (TPI, ADI and MII) and entomo-virological (EVI) indexes were generated with the goal to provide local health managers with a transmission risk stratification that allows targeting areas for vector control activities. We observed a dynamic pattern in the evaluation; however, it was a low spatio-temporal correlation of Ae. aegypti and incidence of dengue. Independent temporal and spatial effects capture a significant portion of the signal given by human arbovirus cases. The entomo-virological index (EVI) significantly signaled risk in a few areas, whereas entomological indexes were not effective in providing dengue risk alert. Investigating the variation of biotic and abiotic factors between areas with and without correlation should provide more information about the local epidemiology of dengue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors)
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16 pages, 5171 KiB  
Article
Species Diversity, Habitat Distribution, and Blood Meal Analysis of Haematophagous Dipterans Collected by CDC-UV Light Traps in the Dominican Republic
by Mikel Alexander González, Daniel Bravo-Barriga, María Altagracia Rodríguez-Sosa, Juan Rueda, Eva Frontera and Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal
Pathogens 2022, 11(7), 714; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens11070714 - 21 Jun 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2085
Abstract
Haematophagous insects cause major economic losses by both direct damage and the transmission of pathogens. However, the biting Diptera species in the Caribbean region have been poorly documented. During 2021, CDC downdraft suction traps with UV light were employed to assess both the [...] Read more.
Haematophagous insects cause major economic losses by both direct damage and the transmission of pathogens. However, the biting Diptera species in the Caribbean region have been poorly documented. During 2021, CDC downdraft suction traps with UV light were employed to assess both the species occurrence and blood meal sources across three different habitats in the Dominican Republic. Eighteen species of mosquitoes (n = 274), six species of Culicoides (n = 803), two black fly species (n = 2), and one species of muscid fly (n = 25) were identified at species-level by morphology and/or molecular phylogenetic approaches based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI). Engorged mosquito (n = 5) and Culicoides (n = 28) females showed host preferences derived exclusively from mammals (cows and pigs), except Culex species containing the blood of chickens. Our study provides new records of the Diptera Dominican catalogue (Culex salinarius for the Greater Antilles, Culicoides jamaicensis for Hispaniola, and Culicoides haitiensis and Culicoides borinqueni for the Dominican Republic), the first available COI DNA sequences of different Diptera in the GenBank, some pictures of diagnostic features of closely related specimens, spatial distribution across the habitats studied, and new insights on their feeding preferences in the Caribbean region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors)
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14 pages, 2674 KiB  
Article
Sentinel Surveillance Contributes to Tracking Lyme Disease Spatiotemporal Risk Trends in Southern Quebec, Canada
by Camille Guillot, Catherine Bouchard, Kayla Buhler, Ariane Dumas, François Milord, Marion Ripoche, Roxane Pelletier and Patrick A. Leighton
Pathogens 2022, 11(5), 531; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens11050531 - 02 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2161
Abstract
Lyme disease (LD) is a tick-borne disease which has been emerging in temperate areas in North America, Europe, and Asia. In Quebec, Canada, the number of human LD cases is increasing rapidly and thus surveillance of LD risk is a public health priority. [...] Read more.
Lyme disease (LD) is a tick-borne disease which has been emerging in temperate areas in North America, Europe, and Asia. In Quebec, Canada, the number of human LD cases is increasing rapidly and thus surveillance of LD risk is a public health priority. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the ability of active sentinel surveillance to track spatiotemporal trends in LD risk. Using drag flannel data from 2015–2019, we calculated density of nymphal ticks (DON), an index of enzootic hazard, across the study region (southern Quebec). A Poisson regression model was used to explore the association between the enzootic hazard and LD risk (annual number of human cases) at the municipal level. Predictions from models were able to track both spatial and interannual variation in risk. Furthermore, a risk map produced by using model predictions closely matched the official risk map published by provincial public health authorities, which requires the use of complex criteria-based risk assessment. Our study shows that active sentinel surveillance in Quebec provides a sustainable system to follow spatiotemporal trends in LD risk. Such a network can support public health authorities in informing the public about LD risk within their region or municipality and this method could be extended to support Lyme disease risk assessment at the national level in Canada. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors)
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7 pages, 840 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of the Modification of Sewers to Reduce the Reproduction of Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus in Barcelona, Spain
by Tomas Montalvo, Agustin Higueros, Andrea Valsecchi, Elisenda Realp, Cristina Vila, Alejandro Ortiz, Víctor Peracho and Jordi Figuerola
Pathogens 2022, 11(4), 423; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens11040423 - 31 Mar 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3019
Abstract
Mosquitoes breeding in urban sewage infrastructure are both a source of nuisance to the local population and a public health risk, given that biting mosquitoes can transmit pathogenic organisms to humans. The increasing presence of the invasive mosquito species Aedes albopictus in European [...] Read more.
Mosquitoes breeding in urban sewage infrastructure are both a source of nuisance to the local population and a public health risk, given that biting mosquitoes can transmit pathogenic organisms to humans. The increasing presence of the invasive mosquito species Aedes albopictus in European cities has further exacerbated the problems already caused by native Culex pipiens. We tested the effectiveness of modifications to sewage structures as an alternative to the use of biocides to prevent mosquito breeding. The placing of a layer of concrete at the bottom of sand sewers to prevent water accumulation completely eliminated mosquito reproduction, and so eliminates the need for biocides in modified structures. Sewer modification is thus a valid low-cost alternative for mosquito control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors)
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18 pages, 3144 KiB  
Article
To Kill or to Repel Mosquitoes? Exploring Two Strategies for Protecting Humans and Reducing Vector-Borne Disease Risks by Using Pyrethroids as Spatial Repellents
by M. Moreno-Gómez, M. A. Miranda and R. Bueno-Marí
Pathogens 2021, 10(9), 1171; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10091171 - 11 Sep 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2959
Abstract
Although control efforts are improving, vector-borne diseases remain a global public health challenge. There is a need to shift vector control paradigms while developing new products and programmes. The importance of modifying vector behaviour has been recognised for decades but has received limited [...] Read more.
Although control efforts are improving, vector-borne diseases remain a global public health challenge. There is a need to shift vector control paradigms while developing new products and programmes. The importance of modifying vector behaviour has been recognised for decades but has received limited attention from the public health community. This study aims to: (1) explore how the use of spatial repellents at sublethal doses could promote public health worldwide; (2) propose new methods for evaluating insecticides for use by the general public; and (3) identify key issues to address before spatial repellents can be adopted as complementary vector control tools. Two field experiments were performed to assess the effects of an insecticidal compound, the pyrethroid transfluthrin, on Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The first examined levels of human protection, and the second looked at mosquito knockdown and mortality. For the same transfluthrin dose and application method, the percent protection remained high (>80%) at 5 h even though mosquito mortality had declined to zero at 1 h. This result underscores that it matters which evaluation parameters are chosen. If the overarching goal is to decrease health risks, sublethal doses could be useful as they protect human hosts even when mosquito mortality is null. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors)
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Review

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19 pages, 1623 KiB  
Review
What Has Happened to Heartworm Disease in Europe in the Last 10 Years?
by Rodrigo Morchón, José Alberto Montoya-Alonso, Iván Rodríguez-Escolar and Elena Carretón
Pathogens 2022, 11(9), 1042; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens11091042 - 13 Sep 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5350
Abstract
Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a vector-borne disease that affects canids and felids, both domestic and wild, throughout the world. It is a chronic disease which causes vascular damage in pulmonary arteries, and in advanced stages, the presence of pulmonary hypertension [...] Read more.
Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a vector-borne disease that affects canids and felids, both domestic and wild, throughout the world. It is a chronic disease which causes vascular damage in pulmonary arteries, and in advanced stages, the presence of pulmonary hypertension and right-sided congestive heart failure can be evidenced. Moreover, pulmonary thromboembolism is caused by the death of the worms, which can be lethal for the infected animal. Furthermore, it is the causative agent of human pulmonary dirofilariosis, being a zoonotic disease. The aim of this review was to update the current epidemiological situation of heartworm in Europe in dogs, cats, wild animals, and vectors insects, and to analyse the factors that may have contributed to the continuous spread of the disease in the last decade (2012–2021). In Europe, the disease has extended to eastern countries, being currently endemic in countries where previously only isolated or imported cases were reported. Furthermore, its prevalence has continued to increase in southern countries, traditionally endemic. This distribution trends and changes are influenced by several factors which are discussed in this review, such as the climate changes, presence of vectors in new areas, the appearance of new competent vector species in the continent, increased movement of pets that travelled to or originated from endemic countries, the urbanisation of rural areas leading to the formation of so-called “heat islands”, or the creation of extensive areas of irrigated crops. The continuous expansion of D. immitis must be monitored, and measures adapted to the situation of each country must be carried out for adequate control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors)
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20 pages, 677 KiB  
Review
Trends in Taxonomy of Chagas Disease Vectors (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae): From Linnaean to Integrative Taxonomy
by Kaio Cesar Chaboli Alevi, Jader de Oliveira, Dayse da Silva Rocha and Cleber Galvão
Pathogens 2021, 10(12), 1627; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens10121627 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 3977
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted mainly by members of the subfamily Triatominae. There are currently 157 species, grouped into 18 genera and five tribes. Most descriptions of triatomine species are based on classical [...] Read more.
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted mainly by members of the subfamily Triatominae. There are currently 157 species, grouped into 18 genera and five tribes. Most descriptions of triatomine species are based on classical taxonomy. Facing evolutionary (cryptic speciation and phenotypic plasticity) and taxonomic (more than 190 synonymizations) problems, it is evident that integrative taxonomy studies are an important and necessary trend for this group of vectors. Almost two-and-a-half centuries after the description of the first species, we present for the first time the state-of-the-art taxonomy of the whole subfamily, covering from the initial classic studies to the use of integrative taxonomy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Control and Zoonotic Role of Disease Vectors)
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