Vector-Pathogen-Host Dynamics: Delineating Interactions at Every Level

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2022) | Viewed by 13818

Special Issue Editor

1. Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
2. Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
Interests: Tick-borne diseases; Vaccines; Diagnostics; Arthropod innate immunity; Epidemiology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The time cannot be any more relevant than now when it comes to looking at vector-borne infections. It is clear that we really need to bridge the gaps in our understanding of the relationships that are present in nature between the different players of such diseases. Modern science allows us to work with a lot of omics-related data and decipher their true potential and value in the fight against vector-borne infections. We are at the crossroads of deciphering long-standing questions. We now are able to develop newer infection models, understand the immune response in an arthropod vector or a mammalian host equally, and use molecular techniques and biochemical assays to study the roles of genes and the proteins they encode within the biological systems. Delineating some of these events at the tri-interface that promote pathogen infection, persistence, and transmission will lead to a better understanding of the epidemiology and ecology of the players that are part of these diseases.

I invite researchers within the vector-borne diseases field studying any of the relationships between the vector-pathogen-host to submit their manuscripts for original articles and reviews. These include the areas of ecology, genetics, immunology, diagnostics, vector/pathogen research, and vaccine development. I hope that this Special Issue will be a portal for researchers wanting not only to showcase their novel ideas and methods but also a way to create future collaborative efforts.

Dr. Ryan Rego
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Arthropod Vector
  • Bacteria
  • Virus
  • Protozoa
  • Mosquito
  • Tick
  • Innate Immunity
  • Vaccines
  • Zoonotic Diseases
  • Diagnosis

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 6323 KiB  
Article
Effect of Associated Bacteria GD1 on the Low-Temperature Adaptability of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Based on RNA-Seq and RNAi
by Yuchao Yuan, Min Pan, Luyang Shen, Yuqian Liu, Qinping Zhu, Jingxin Hong, Jianren Ye and Jiajin Tan
Microorganisms 2023, 11(2), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11020430 - 8 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2493
Abstract
To explore the effect of associated bacteria on the low-temperature adaptability of pinewood nematodes (PWNs), transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of PWN AH23 treated with the associated bacterial strain Bacillus cereus GD1 was carried out with reference to the whole PWN genome. Bioinformatic software was [...] Read more.
To explore the effect of associated bacteria on the low-temperature adaptability of pinewood nematodes (PWNs), transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of PWN AH23 treated with the associated bacterial strain Bacillus cereus GD1 was carried out with reference to the whole PWN genome. Bioinformatic software was utilized to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). This study was based on the analysis of DEGs to verify the function of daf-11 by RNAi. The results showed that there were 439 DEGs between AH23 treated with GD1 and those treated with ddH2O at 10 °C. There were 207 pathways annotated in the KEGG database and 48 terms annotated in the GO database. It was found that after RNAi of daf-11, the survival rate of PWNs decreased significantly at 10 °C, and fecundity decreased significantly at 15 °C. It can be concluded that the associated bacteria GD1 can enhance the expression of genes related to PWN low-temperature adaptation and improve their adaptability to low temperatures. Full article
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10 pages, 906 KiB  
Article
Study on the Role of the Common House Fly, Musca domestica, in the Spread of ORF Virus (Poxviridae) DNA under Laboratory Conditions
by Donato Antonio Raele, John G. Stoffolano, Jr., Jr., Ilaria Vasco, Germana Pennuzzi, Maria Concetta Nardella La Porta and Maria Assunta Cafiero
Microorganisms 2021, 9(11), 2185; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9112185 - 20 Oct 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4446
Abstract
ORF virus (Poxviridae) is the causative agent of contagious ecthyma (soremouth), a disease primarily affecting sheep and goats worldwide, but also humans exposed to disease-ridden animals. Pathogens are shed with scabs, and infection mainly occurs by direct contact. Although the disease is relatively [...] Read more.
ORF virus (Poxviridae) is the causative agent of contagious ecthyma (soremouth), a disease primarily affecting sheep and goats worldwide, but also humans exposed to disease-ridden animals. Pathogens are shed with scabs, and infection mainly occurs by direct contact. Although the disease is relatively benign and self-limiting, the morbidity rate is high in livestock with subsequent significant financial and economic impact. The aim of the study was to experimentally investigate the potential for the housefly, Musca domestica, to act as a mechanical vector of the virus. Homogenate of crusted scabs from ORFV-positive sheep (Italy, Apulia) were used to infect laboratory-reared flies. Flies walking on viral mixture and flies inoculated on their wings were individually placed in Falcon tubes and the ORFV DNA was searched by PCR on tube walls; flies were fed on the same homogenized crusts and their crop and spots (vomit and feces) molecularly examined for ORF DNA at 2, 4, and 6 h. All of the flies (100%) used in the experiments were able to pick up and transmit the viral genome to contact surfaces; 60% were found ORF virus (DNA)-positive in both spots and crop. These results suggest that M. domestica could play a role as potential mechanical vector and/or reservoir in the epidemiology of the ORF virus infection. Thus, house fly management should be considered in the measures to control the disease in ovine–caprine farms. Full article
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Review

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14 pages, 998 KiB  
Review
Current Data on Rickettsia felis Occurrence in Vectors, Human and Animal Hosts in Europe: A Scoping Review
by Constantina N. Tsokana, Ioanna Kapna and George Valiakos
Microorganisms 2022, 10(12), 2491; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10122491 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1906
Abstract
Rickettsia felis is an emerging pathogen with increasing reports of human cases and detection in arthropod and animal host species worldwide. In this scoping review we record the newest data reported for R. felis in Europe: the vector and host species found to be [...] Read more.
Rickettsia felis is an emerging pathogen with increasing reports of human cases and detection in arthropod and animal host species worldwide. In this scoping review we record the newest data reported for R. felis in Europe: the vector and host species found to be infected, and the geographical distribution and prevalence of R. felis infection in vectors and hosts. A total of 15 European countries reported the occurrence of R. felis in hosts and vectors during 2017–2022. The vectors found to be infected by R. felis were flea, tick and mite species; Ctenocephalides felis and Ixodes ricinus were the dominant ones. The hosts found to be infected and/or exposed to R. felis were humans, cats and small mammals. Physicians should be aware of the epidemiology and include illness caused by R. felis in the differential diagnosis of febrile disease. Veterinarians should keep training pet owners on the need for effective year-round arthropod control on their pets, especially for fleas. Full article
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25 pages, 22014 KiB  
Review
Microbiomes of Blood-Feeding Arthropods: Genes Coding for Essential Nutrients and Relation to Vector Fitness and Pathogenic Infections. A Review
by Daniel E. Sonenshine and Philip E. Stewart
Microorganisms 2021, 9(12), 2433; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9122433 - 25 Nov 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3359
Abstract
Background: Blood-feeding arthropods support a diverse array of symbiotic microbes, some of which facilitate host growth and development whereas others are detrimental to vector-borne pathogens. We found a common core constituency among the microbiota of 16 different arthropod blood-sucking disease vectors, including Bacillaceae [...] Read more.
Background: Blood-feeding arthropods support a diverse array of symbiotic microbes, some of which facilitate host growth and development whereas others are detrimental to vector-borne pathogens. We found a common core constituency among the microbiota of 16 different arthropod blood-sucking disease vectors, including Bacillaceae, Rickettsiaceae, Anaplasmataceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Moraxellaceae and Staphylococcaceae. By comparing 21 genomes of common bacterial symbionts in blood-feeding vectors versus non-blooding insects, we found that certain enteric bacteria benefit their hosts by upregulating numerous genes coding for essential nutrients. Bacteria of blood-sucking vectors expressed significantly more genes (p < 0.001) coding for these essential nutrients than those of non-blooding insects. Moreover, compared to endosymbionts, the genomes of enteric bacteria also contained significantly more genes (p < 0.001) that code for the synthesis of essential amino acids and proteins that detoxify reactive oxygen species. In contrast, microbes in non-blood-feeding insects expressed few gene families coding for these nutrient categories. We also discuss specific midgut bacteria essential for the normal development of pathogens (e.g., Leishmania) versus others that were detrimental (e.g., bacterial toxins in mosquitoes lethal to Plasmodium spp.). Full article
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