The Experts below are selected from a list of 603 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Nicholas Johnson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Molecular species identification, host preference and detection of myxoma virus in the Anopheles Maculipennis complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in southern England, UK
    Parasites & Vectors, 2015
    Co-Authors: Victor A. Brugman, Chris Weland, David G. Westcott, Sean W J Prosser, Luis M. Hernández-triana, Nicholas Johnson
    Abstract:

    Background Determining the host feeding patterns of mosquitoes by identifying the origin of their blood-meals is an important part of understanding the role of vector species in current and future disease transmission cycles. Collecting large numbers of blood-fed mosquitoes from the field is difficult, therefore it is important to maximise the information obtained from each specimen. This study aimed to use mosquito genome sequence to identify the species within Anopheles Maculipennis sensu lato ( An. Maculipennis s.l.), identify the vertebrate hosts of field-caught blood-fed An. Maculipennis s.l. , and to test for the presence of myxoma virus ( Poxviridae , genus Leporipoxvirus ) in specimens found to have fed on the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ). Methods Blood-fed An. Maculipennis s.l. were collected from resting sites at Elmley Nature Reserve, Kent, between June and September 2013. Hosts that An. Maculipennis s.l. had fed on were determined by a PCR-sequencing approach based on the partial amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene. Mosquitoes were then identified to species by sequencing a region of the internal transcribed spacer-2 . DNA extracts from all mosquitoes identified as having fed on rabbits were subsequently screened using PCR for the presence of myxoma virus. Results A total of 94 blood-fed Anopheles Maculipennis s.l. were collected, of which 43 (46 %) provided positive blood-meal identification results. Thirty-six of these specimens were identified as Anopheles atroparvus , which had fed on rabbit ( n  = 33, 92 %) and cattle ( n  = 3, 8 %). Seven mosquitoes were identified as Anopheles messeae, which had fed on cattle ( n  = 6, 86 %) and dog ( n  = 1, 14 %). Of the 33 An. atroparvus that contained rabbit blood, nine (27 %) were positive for myxoma virus. Conclusions Results demonstrate that a single DNA extract from a blood-fed mosquito can be successfully used for molecular identification of members of the An. Maculipennis complex, blood-meal identification, and for the targeted detection of a myxoma virus. This study shows that An. atroparvus has a strong feeding preference for both healthy and myxoma-infected rabbits, providing evidence that this species may play a significant role in the transmission of myxomatosis among wild rabbit populations in the United Kingdom (UK).

  • Molecular species identification, host preference and detection of myxoma virus in the Anopheles Maculipennis complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in southern England, UK
    Parasites & Vectors, 2015
    Co-Authors: Victor A. Brugman, Chris Weland, David G. Westcott, Sean W J Prosser, Luis M. Hernández-triana, Nicholas Johnson
    Abstract:

    Determining the host feeding patterns of mosquitoes by identifying the origin of their blood-meals is an important part of understanding the role of vector species in current and future disease transmission cycles. Collecting large numbers of blood-fed mosquitoes from the field is difficult, therefore it is important to maximise the information obtained from each specimen. This study aimed to use mosquito genome sequence to identify the species within Anopheles Maculipennis sensu lato (An. Maculipennis s.l.), identify the vertebrate hosts of field-caught blood-fed An. Maculipennis s.l. , and to test for the presence of myxoma virus (Poxviridae, genus Leporipoxvirus) in specimens found to have fed on the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Blood-fed An. Maculipennis s.l. were collected from resting sites at Elmley Nature Reserve, Kent, between June and September 2013. Hosts that An. Maculipennis s.l. had fed on were determined by a PCR-sequencing approach based on the partial amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene. Mosquitoes were then identified to species by sequencing a region of the internal transcribed spacer-2. DNA extracts from all mosquitoes identified as having fed on rabbits were subsequently screened using PCR for the presence of myxoma virus. A total of 94 blood-fed Anopheles Maculipennis s.l. were collected, of which 43 (46 %) provided positive blood-meal identification results. Thirty-six of these specimens were identified as Anopheles atroparvus, which had fed on rabbit (n = 33, 92 %) and cattle (n = 3, 8 %). Seven mosquitoes were identified as Anopheles messeae, which had fed on cattle (n = 6, 86 %) and dog (n = 1, 14 %). Of the 33 An. atroparvus that contained rabbit blood, nine (27 %) were positive for myxoma virus. Results demonstrate that a single DNA extract from a blood-fed mosquito can be successfully used for molecular identification of members of the An. Maculipennis complex, blood-meal identification, and for the targeted detection of a myxoma virus. This study shows that An. atroparvus has a strong feeding preference for both healthy and myxoma-infected rabbits, providing evidence that this species may play a significant role in the transmission of myxomatosis among wild rabbit populations in the United Kingdom (UK).

Victor A. Brugman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Molecular species identification, host preference and detection of myxoma virus in the Anopheles Maculipennis complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in southern England, UK
    Parasites & Vectors, 2015
    Co-Authors: Victor A. Brugman, Chris Weland, David G. Westcott, Sean W J Prosser, Luis M. Hernández-triana, Nicholas Johnson
    Abstract:

    Background Determining the host feeding patterns of mosquitoes by identifying the origin of their blood-meals is an important part of understanding the role of vector species in current and future disease transmission cycles. Collecting large numbers of blood-fed mosquitoes from the field is difficult, therefore it is important to maximise the information obtained from each specimen. This study aimed to use mosquito genome sequence to identify the species within Anopheles Maculipennis sensu lato ( An. Maculipennis s.l.), identify the vertebrate hosts of field-caught blood-fed An. Maculipennis s.l. , and to test for the presence of myxoma virus ( Poxviridae , genus Leporipoxvirus ) in specimens found to have fed on the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ). Methods Blood-fed An. Maculipennis s.l. were collected from resting sites at Elmley Nature Reserve, Kent, between June and September 2013. Hosts that An. Maculipennis s.l. had fed on were determined by a PCR-sequencing approach based on the partial amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene. Mosquitoes were then identified to species by sequencing a region of the internal transcribed spacer-2 . DNA extracts from all mosquitoes identified as having fed on rabbits were subsequently screened using PCR for the presence of myxoma virus. Results A total of 94 blood-fed Anopheles Maculipennis s.l. were collected, of which 43 (46 %) provided positive blood-meal identification results. Thirty-six of these specimens were identified as Anopheles atroparvus , which had fed on rabbit ( n  = 33, 92 %) and cattle ( n  = 3, 8 %). Seven mosquitoes were identified as Anopheles messeae, which had fed on cattle ( n  = 6, 86 %) and dog ( n  = 1, 14 %). Of the 33 An. atroparvus that contained rabbit blood, nine (27 %) were positive for myxoma virus. Conclusions Results demonstrate that a single DNA extract from a blood-fed mosquito can be successfully used for molecular identification of members of the An. Maculipennis complex, blood-meal identification, and for the targeted detection of a myxoma virus. This study shows that An. atroparvus has a strong feeding preference for both healthy and myxoma-infected rabbits, providing evidence that this species may play a significant role in the transmission of myxomatosis among wild rabbit populations in the United Kingdom (UK).

  • Molecular species identification, host preference and detection of myxoma virus in the Anopheles Maculipennis complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in southern England, UK
    Parasites & Vectors, 2015
    Co-Authors: Victor A. Brugman, Chris Weland, David G. Westcott, Sean W J Prosser, Luis M. Hernández-triana, Nicholas Johnson
    Abstract:

    Determining the host feeding patterns of mosquitoes by identifying the origin of their blood-meals is an important part of understanding the role of vector species in current and future disease transmission cycles. Collecting large numbers of blood-fed mosquitoes from the field is difficult, therefore it is important to maximise the information obtained from each specimen. This study aimed to use mosquito genome sequence to identify the species within Anopheles Maculipennis sensu lato (An. Maculipennis s.l.), identify the vertebrate hosts of field-caught blood-fed An. Maculipennis s.l. , and to test for the presence of myxoma virus (Poxviridae, genus Leporipoxvirus) in specimens found to have fed on the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Blood-fed An. Maculipennis s.l. were collected from resting sites at Elmley Nature Reserve, Kent, between June and September 2013. Hosts that An. Maculipennis s.l. had fed on were determined by a PCR-sequencing approach based on the partial amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene. Mosquitoes were then identified to species by sequencing a region of the internal transcribed spacer-2. DNA extracts from all mosquitoes identified as having fed on rabbits were subsequently screened using PCR for the presence of myxoma virus. A total of 94 blood-fed Anopheles Maculipennis s.l. were collected, of which 43 (46 %) provided positive blood-meal identification results. Thirty-six of these specimens were identified as Anopheles atroparvus, which had fed on rabbit (n = 33, 92 %) and cattle (n = 3, 8 %). Seven mosquitoes were identified as Anopheles messeae, which had fed on cattle (n = 6, 86 %) and dog (n = 1, 14 %). Of the 33 An. atroparvus that contained rabbit blood, nine (27 %) were positive for myxoma virus. Results demonstrate that a single DNA extract from a blood-fed mosquito can be successfully used for molecular identification of members of the An. Maculipennis complex, blood-meal identification, and for the targeted detection of a myxoma virus. This study shows that An. atroparvus has a strong feeding preference for both healthy and myxoma-infected rabbits, providing evidence that this species may play a significant role in the transmission of myxomatosis among wild rabbit populations in the United Kingdom (UK).

Saadia Mahari - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

R Danabalan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • occurrence and host preferences of Anopheles Maculipennis group mosquitoes in england and wales
    Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2014
    Co-Authors: R Danabalan, Michael T Monaghan, D J Ponsonby, Y M Linton
    Abstract:

    Mosquitoes of the Anopheles Maculipennis Meigen (Diptera: Culicidae) group are of public health concern: five of the 11 morphologically indistinct species have been historically considered as vectors of malaria in Europe. Three members of the An. Maculipennis group have been reported in the U.K.: Anopheles atroparvus van Thiel; Anopheles messeae Falleroni, and Anopheles daciae Linton, Nicolescu & Harbach. To study the distribution of the three U.K. species, particularly that of An. daciae, we developed a polymerase chain reaction-Restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay using the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) gene. Anopheles daciae was found to be widespread, occurring in four of the five counties surveyed in southern England and on the Welsh island of Anglesey, often in sympatry with the closely related species An. messeae. The host preferences of 237 blood-fed females were determined using either direct sequencing or PCR-based fragment analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase b gene with DNA from females' abdomens. All three species were found to be opportunistic, having fed on at least three different hosts. Seventeen individuals contained multiple bloodmeals, including two An. daciae that had fed on humans and birds. Our results show that An. daciae is widespread in England and Wales, occurs in sympatry with other members of the An. Maculipennis group, and feeds on humans, which suggests it is a potential vector of disease in the U.K.

Y M Linton - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • occurrence and host preferences of Anopheles Maculipennis group mosquitoes in england and wales
    Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2014
    Co-Authors: R Danabalan, Michael T Monaghan, D J Ponsonby, Y M Linton
    Abstract:

    Mosquitoes of the Anopheles Maculipennis Meigen (Diptera: Culicidae) group are of public health concern: five of the 11 morphologically indistinct species have been historically considered as vectors of malaria in Europe. Three members of the An. Maculipennis group have been reported in the U.K.: Anopheles atroparvus van Thiel; Anopheles messeae Falleroni, and Anopheles daciae Linton, Nicolescu & Harbach. To study the distribution of the three U.K. species, particularly that of An. daciae, we developed a polymerase chain reaction-Restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay using the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) gene. Anopheles daciae was found to be widespread, occurring in four of the five counties surveyed in southern England and on the Welsh island of Anglesey, often in sympatry with the closely related species An. messeae. The host preferences of 237 blood-fed females were determined using either direct sequencing or PCR-based fragment analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase b gene with DNA from females' abdomens. All three species were found to be opportunistic, having fed on at least three different hosts. Seventeen individuals contained multiple bloodmeals, including two An. daciae that had fed on humans and birds. Our results show that An. daciae is widespread in England and Wales, occurs in sympatry with other members of the An. Maculipennis group, and feeds on humans, which suggests it is a potential vector of disease in the U.K.