The Experts below are selected from a list of 5034 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
José De La Fuente - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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use of graph theory to characterize human and Arthropod Vector cell protein response to infection with anaplasma phagocytophilum
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2018Co-Authors: Agustin Estradapena, José De La Fuente, Margarita Villar, Sara Artigasjeronimo, Vladimir Lopez, Pilar Alberdi, Alejandro CabezascruzAbstract:One of the major challenges in modern biology is the use of large omics datasets for the characterization of complex processes such as cell response to infection. These challenges are even bigger when analyses need to be performed for comparison of different species including model and non-model organisms. To address these challenges, the graph theory was applied to characterize the tick Vector and human cell protein response to infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. A network of interacting proteins and cell processes clustered in biological pathways, and ranked with indexes representing the topology of the proteome was prepared. The results demonstrated that networks of functionally interacting proteins represented in both infected and uninfected cells can describe the complete set of host cell processes and metabolic pathways, providing a deeper view of the comparative host cell response to pathogen infection. The results demonstrated that changes in the tick proteome were driven by modifications in protein representation in response to A. phagocytophilum infection. Pathogen infection had a higher impact on tick than human proteome. Since most proteins were linked to several cell processes, the changes in protein representation affected simultaneously different biological pathways. The method allowed discerning cell processes that were affected by pathogen infection from those that remained unaffected. The results supported that human neutrophils but not tick cells limit pathogen infection through differential representation of ras-related proteins. This methodological approach could be applied to other host-pathogen models to identify host derived key proteins in response to infection that may be used to develop novel control strategies for Arthropod-borne pathogens.
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control of ixodes ricinus and dermacentor reticulatus tick infestations in rabbits vaccinated with the q38 subolesin akirin chimera
Vaccine, 2016Co-Authors: Marinela Contreras, José De La FuenteAbstract:Diseases transmitted by ticks greatly impact human and animal health and their control is important for the eradication of tick-borne diseases. Vaccination is an environmentally friendly alternative for tick control. Recent results have suggested that Subolesin/Akirin (SUB/AKR) are good candidate antigens for the control of Arthropod Vector infestations. Here, we describe the effect of vaccination with the Q38 chimera containing SUB/AKR conserved protective epitopes on Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus tick larval mortality, feeding and molting. We demonstrated that Q38 vaccination had an efficacy of 99.9% and 46.4% on the control of I. ricinus and D. reticulatus larvae by considering the cumulative effect on reducing tick survival and molting. The effect of the Q38 vaccine on larval feeding and molting is essential to reduce tick infestations and supports that Q38 might be a candidate universal antigen for the control of multiple tick species that can infest the same host.
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Control of Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus tick infestations in rabbits vaccinated with the Q38 Subolesin/Akirin chimera.
Vaccine, 2016Co-Authors: Marinela Contreras, José De La FuenteAbstract:Diseases transmitted by ticks greatly impact human and animal health and their control is important for the eradication of tick-borne diseases. Vaccination is an environmentally friendly alternative for tick control. Recent results have suggested that Subolesin/Akirin (SUB/AKR) are good candidate antigens for the control of Arthropod Vector infestations. Here, we describe the effect of vaccination with the Q38 chimera containing SUB/AKR conserved protective epitopes on Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus tick larval mortality, feeding and molting. We demonstrated that Q38 vaccination had an efficacy of 99.9% and 46.4% on the control of I. ricinus and D. reticulatus larvae by considering the cumulative effect on reducing tick survival and molting. The effect of the Q38 vaccine on larval feeding and molting is essential to reduce tick infestations and supports that Q38 might be a candidate universal antigen for the control of multiple tick species that can infest the same host.
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Prospects for vaccination against the ticks of pets and the potential impact on pathogen transmission.
Veterinary Parasitology, 2014Co-Authors: José De La Fuente, Marinela Contreras, Jose Manuel Perez De Lastra, Margarita Villar, Juan A. Moreno-cid, Octavio Merino, Gabriela De La Fuente, Ruth C. GalindoAbstract:Abstract Diseases transmitted by Arthropod Vectors such as ticks greatly impact human and animal health. In particular, many diseases of dogs and cats are potentially transmissible to people by Arthropod Vectors and therefore their control is important for the eradication of Vector-borne diseases (VBD). Vaccination is an environmentally friendly alternative for Vector control that allows control of several VBD by targeting their common Vector. Recent results have shown that it is possible to use Vector protective antigens for the control of Arthropod Vector infestations and pathogen infection. However, as reviewed in this paper, very little progress has been made for the control of ectoparasite infestations and VBD in pets using vaccination with Vector protective antigens. The growing interaction between pets and people underlines the importance of developing new interventions for the monitoring and control of VBD.
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Subolesin/Akirin vaccines for the control of Arthropod Vectors and Vectorborne pathogens.
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2013Co-Authors: José De La Fuente, Jose Manuel Perez De Lastra, Juan A. Moreno-cid, Agustín Estrada-peña, Ruth C. Galindo, Consuelo Almazán, Katherine M. Kocan, Octavio Merino, Edmour F. BlouinAbstract:Summary Diseases transmitted by Arthropod Vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks and sand flies greatly impact human and animal health, and therefore, their control is important for the eradication of Vectorborne diseases (VBD). Vaccination is an environmentally friendly alternative for Vector control that allows control of several VBD by targeting their common Vector. Recent results have suggested that subolesin (SUB) and its orthologue in insects, akirin (AKR) are good candidate antigens for the control of Arthropod Vector infestations and pathogen infection. SUB was discovered as a tick-protective antigen in Ixodes scapularis. Vaccination trials with recombinant SUB/AKR demonstrated effective control of Arthropod Vector infestations in various hard and soft tick species, mosquitoes, sand flies, poultry red mites and sea lice by reducing their numbers, weight, oviposition, fertility and/or moulting. SUB/AKR vaccination also reduced tick infection with tickborne pathogens, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. marginale, Babesia bigemina and Borrelia burgdorferi. The effect of vaccination on different hosts, Vector species, developmental stages and Vectorborne pathogen infections demonstrated the feasibility of SUB/AKR universal vaccines for the control of multiple Vector infestations and for reduction in VBD.
Issa N Lyimo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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entomopathogenic fungi metarhizium anisopliae and beauveria bassiana reduce the survival of xenopsylla brasiliensis larvae siphonaptera pulicidae
Parasites & Vectors, 2012Co-Authors: Ladislaus L . Mnyone, Abdul A Katakweba, Humphrey D. Mazigo, Kija R Nghabi, Issa N LyimoAbstract:Entomopathogenic fungi, particularly those belonging to the genera Metarhizium and Beauveria have shown great promise as Arthropod Vector control tools. These agents, however, have not been evaluated against flea Vectors of plague. A 3-h exposure to the fungi coated paper at a concentration of 2 × 108 conidia m-2 infected >90% of flea larvae cadavers in the treatment groups. The infection reduced the survival of larvae that had been exposed to fungus relative to controls. The daily risk of dying was four- and over three-fold greater in larvae exposed to M. anisopliae (HR = 4, p<0.001) and B. bassiana (HR = 3.5, p<0.001) respectively. Both fungi can successfully infect and kill larvae of X. brasiliensis with a pooled median survival time (MST±SE) of 2±0.31 days post-exposure. These findings justify further research to investigate the bio-control potential of entomopathogenic fungi against fleas.
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Entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana reduce the survival of Xenopsylla brasiliensis larvae (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)
Parasites & Vectors, 2012Co-Authors: Ladislaus L . Mnyone, Abdul A Katakweba, Kija R. Ng’habi, Humphrey D. Mazigo, Issa N LyimoAbstract:BACKGROUND: Entomopathogenic fungi, particularly those belonging to the genera Metarhizium and Beauveria have shown great promise as Arthropod Vector control tools. These agents, however, have not been evaluated against flea Vectors of plague.\nFINDINGS: A 3-h exposure to the fungi coated paper at a concentration of 2 × 108 conidia m-2 infected >90% of flea larvae cadavers in the treatment groups. The infection reduced the survival of larvae that had been exposed to fungus relative to controls. The daily risk of dying was four- and over three-fold greater in larvae exposed to M. anisopliae (HR = 4, p
Job E Lopez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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transmission dynamics of borrelia turicatae from the Arthropod Vector
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: William K Boyle, Hannah K Wilder, Amanda M Lawrence, Job E LopezAbstract:Background With the global distribution, morbidity, and mortality associated with tick and louse-borne relapsing fever spirochetes, it is important to understand the dynamics of Vector colonization by the bacteria and transmission to the host. Tick-borne relapsing fever spirochetes are blood-borne pathogens transmitted through the saliva of soft ticks, yet little is known about the transmission capability of these pathogens during the relatively short bloodmeal. This study was therefore initiated to understand the transmission dynamics of the relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia turicatae from the Vector Ornithodoros turicata, and the subsequent dissemination of the bacteria upon entry into murine blood.
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development of genetic system to inactivate a borrelia turicatae surface protein selectively produced within the salivary glands of the Arthropod Vector
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2013Co-Authors: Job E Lopez, Hannah K Wilder, Reid Hargrove, Christopher P Brooks, Karin E Peterson, Paul A Beare, Daniel E Sturdevant, Vijayaraj Nagarajan, Sandra J Raffel, Tom G SchwanAbstract:Background: Borrelia turicatae, an agent of tick-borne relapsing fever, is an example of a pathogen that can adapt to disparate conditions found when colonizing the mammalian host and Arthropod Vector. However, little is known about the genetic factors necessary during the tick-mammalian infectious cycle, therefore we developed a genetic system to transform this species of spirochete. We also identified a plasmid gene that was up-regulated in vitro when B. turicatae was grown in conditions mimicking the tick environment. This 40 kilodalton protein was predicted to be surface localized and designated the Borrelia repeat protein A (brpA) due to the redundancy of the amino acid motif Gln-Gly-Asn-Val-Glu. Methodology/Principal Findings: Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using RNA from B. turicatae infected ticks and mice indicated differential regulation of brpA during the tick-mammalian infectious cycle. The surface localization was determined, and production of the protein within the salivary glands of the tick was demonstrated. We then applied a novel genetic system for B. turicatae to inactivate brpA and examined the role of the gene product for Vector colonization and the ability to establish murine infection. Conclusions/Significance: These results demonstrate the complexity of protein production in a population of spirochetes within the tick. Additionally, the development of a genetic system is important for future studies to evaluate the requirement of specific B. turicatae genes for Vector colonization and transmission.
Patricia A. Rosa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Virulence of the Lyme disease spirochete before and after the tick bloodmeal: a quantitative assessment
Parasites & Vectors, 2016Co-Authors: Irene N. Kasumba, Aaron Bestor, Kit Tilly, Patricia A. RosaAbstract:Background Borrelia burgdorferi, the tick-transmitted agent of Lyme disease, adapts to different environments as it cycles between an Arthropod Vector and vertebrate host. Signals encountered during nymphal tick feeding prior to transmission activate a regulon that is controlled by the alternative sigma factors RpoN and RpoS, which are required for mammalian infection. The ingested bloodmeal also provides nutrients that stimulate spirochete replication. Although the influence of tick feeding on spirochete growth and gene expression is well documented, a quantitative assessment of spirochete virulence before and after tick feeding has not been made.
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Virulence of the Lyme disease spirochete before and after the tick bloodmeal: a quantitative assessment
Parasites & Vectors, 2016Co-Authors: Irene N. Kasumba, Aaron Bestor, Kit Tilly, Patricia A. RosaAbstract:Background Borrelia burgdorferi , the tick-transmitted agent of Lyme disease, adapts to different environments as it cycles between an Arthropod Vector and vertebrate host. Signals encountered during nymphal tick feeding prior to transmission activate a regulon that is controlled by the alternative sigma factors RpoN and RpoS, which are required for mammalian infection. The ingested bloodmeal also provides nutrients that stimulate spirochete replication. Although the influence of tick feeding on spirochete growth and gene expression is well documented, a quantitative assessment of spirochete virulence before and after tick feeding has not been made. Methods Homogenates were prepared from unfed and fed infected Ixodes scapularis nymphs that had acquired B. burgdorferi as larvae. Serially diluted tick homogenates were needle-inoculated into mice to determine the infectious dose of tick-derived spirochetes before and after the bloodmeal. Mouse infection was assessed by sero-reactivity with B. burgdorferi whole cell lysates on immunoblots and attempted isolation of spirochetes from mouse tissues. Viable spirochetes in tick-derived inocula were quantified by colony formation in solid media. Results We found that an inoculum containing as many as 10^4 B. burgdorferi from unfed ticks is largely non-infectious, while the calculated ID_50 for spirochetes from fed ticks is ~30 organisms. Engineered constitutive production of the essential virulence factor OspC by spirochetes within unfed ticks did not confer an infectious phenotype. Conclusion Conditional priming of B. burgdorferi during tick feeding induces changes in addition to OspC that are required for infection of the mammalian host.
Ladislaus L . Mnyone - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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entomopathogenic fungi metarhizium anisopliae and beauveria bassiana reduce the survival of xenopsylla brasiliensis larvae siphonaptera pulicidae
Parasites & Vectors, 2012Co-Authors: Ladislaus L . Mnyone, Abdul A Katakweba, Humphrey D. Mazigo, Kija R Nghabi, Issa N LyimoAbstract:Entomopathogenic fungi, particularly those belonging to the genera Metarhizium and Beauveria have shown great promise as Arthropod Vector control tools. These agents, however, have not been evaluated against flea Vectors of plague. A 3-h exposure to the fungi coated paper at a concentration of 2 × 108 conidia m-2 infected >90% of flea larvae cadavers in the treatment groups. The infection reduced the survival of larvae that had been exposed to fungus relative to controls. The daily risk of dying was four- and over three-fold greater in larvae exposed to M. anisopliae (HR = 4, p<0.001) and B. bassiana (HR = 3.5, p<0.001) respectively. Both fungi can successfully infect and kill larvae of X. brasiliensis with a pooled median survival time (MST±SE) of 2±0.31 days post-exposure. These findings justify further research to investigate the bio-control potential of entomopathogenic fungi against fleas.
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Entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana reduce the survival of Xenopsylla brasiliensis larvae (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)
Parasites & Vectors, 2012Co-Authors: Ladislaus L . Mnyone, Abdul A Katakweba, Kija R. Ng’habi, Humphrey D. Mazigo, Issa N LyimoAbstract:BACKGROUND: Entomopathogenic fungi, particularly those belonging to the genera Metarhizium and Beauveria have shown great promise as Arthropod Vector control tools. These agents, however, have not been evaluated against flea Vectors of plague.\nFINDINGS: A 3-h exposure to the fungi coated paper at a concentration of 2 × 108 conidia m-2 infected >90% of flea larvae cadavers in the treatment groups. The infection reduced the survival of larvae that had been exposed to fungus relative to controls. The daily risk of dying was four- and over three-fold greater in larvae exposed to M. anisopliae (HR = 4, p
