Monthly Archives: September 2022

Armigeres subalbatus, a potential vector for Zika virus

zika blog

xiaoguangchen

   Prof. Xiaoguang Chen and his team from Southern Medical University, China investigated the infection and transmission of Armigeres subalbatus to Zika virus and dengue virus. They found that Zika virus but not dengue virus (serotype 2) can infect Ar. subalbatus via blood meal and artificial urine, and the infected mosquitoes can transmit Zika virus to suckling mice by bite. This study was recently published in Infectious Diseases of Poverty.

Biology Health

Genomics can help us better understand and address threats to schistosomiasis control

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Andrea Lund

A study led by researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health reviews possible mechanisms for schistosomiasis persistence and reemergence in the presence of control efforts, and how integration of genomic data into epidemiologic research can accelerate progress towards elimination. The processes that can undermine treatment programs are not yet well-understood. The authors argue that recent advances in sequencing technologies can help fill gaps in our understanding of schistosomiasis persistence and reemergence and address threats to successful schistosomiasis control by informing which interventions to implement alongside treatment programs.

Biology Developing World Health

Terrestrial pathogens and microplastics: Hitchhiker’s guide to the ocean

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Daniel Parsons

Pollution of our waters with plastic debris has been a major focus of how humans are putting pressure on our ecosystems. Research is increasingly showing that microplastics accumulate in marine food webs, posing a threat to both wildlife and human health. However, little work has been done to investigate whether microplastics mediate terrestrial pathogen spread and transmission in the marine environment.

Biology Health Open Access