Emergence of Thelaziosis Caused by<i>Thelazia callipaeda</i>in Dogs and Cats, United States

Manoj, Ranju R.S.; White, Holly; Young, Rebecca; Brown, Charles E.; Wilcox, Renee; Otranto, Domenico; Lejeune, Manigandan

doi:10.3201/eid3003.230700

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

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Population dynamics of sympatric Phortica spp. and first record of stable presence of Phortica oldenbergi in a Thelazia callipaeda-endemic area of Italy

Bernardini,

Poggi,

Porretta

et al. 2024

Parasites Vectors

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Background Five species of the Phortica genus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are known in Europe and the Middle East. Among these, Phortica variegata and Phortica okadai are better known for their role as vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda. Other species, such as Phortica semivirgo and Phortica oldenbergi, have been studied less. Given the paucity of data about these Phortica spp. vectors, we explored the population dynamics and ecology of Phortica spp. in an area highly endemic for T. callipeada (Manziana, Rome, Central Italy). Methods Phortica spp. flies were collected over a 3-year period (2018–2020) during their active season (April–October) with a sweep net while hovering around fermenting fruits or a human operator acting as baits. Collected flies were morphologically identified and tested for a T. callipeada infection and for the presence of Wolbachia, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Population dynamics of species collected was associated to environmental drivers through generalized additive models. Results Of the 5564 flies collected, 90.8% were P. variegata, 9.1% were P. oldenbergi, 0.05% were P. semivirgo, and one specimen was P. okadai. Only P. variegata scored molecularly infected with T. callipeada throughout the 3-year sampling period (1.8%). Phortica oldenbergi, observed consistently during the entire sampling period, exhibited a marked preference for fruit traps, contrasting with the lachryphagous activity of P. variegata. Analysis of environmental drivers of P. oldenbergi and P. variegata population dynamics indicated temperature, wind speed, and pressure as significant factors. In addition, Wolbachia pipientis endosymbiont was detected in P. oldenbergi and P. okadai. Conclusions For the first time, this study analysed several ecological aspects of Phortica species coexisting in a T. callipeada endemic area, highlighting different behaviors in the same environment and their vectorial role. Notably, this is also the first report of the presence of P. oldenbergi in Italy and P. okadai in Europe, underscoring the importance of extensive sampling for detecting potential vectors and alien species with direct implications for vector-borne disease epidemiology. Graphical Abstract

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Population dynamics of sympatric Phortica spp. and first record of stable presence of Phortica oldenbergi in a Thelazia callipaeda-endemic area of Italy

Bernardini,

Poggi,

Porretta

et al. 2024

Parasites Vectors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Population dynamics of sympatric Phortica spp. and first record of stable presence of Phortica oldenbergi in a Thelazia callipaeda-endemic area of Italy

Bernardini,

Poggi,

Porretta

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: Five species of the Phortica genus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are known in Europe and the Middle East. Among these, Phortica variegataand Phortica okadai are better known for their role as vectors of the zoonotic eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda. Other species, such as Phortica semivirgo and Phortica oldenbergi, have been studied less. Given the paucity of data about these Phorticaspp. vectors, we explored the population dynamics and ecology of Phorticaspp. in an area highly endemic for T. callipeada (Manziana, Rome, Central Italy). Methods: Phortica spp. flies were collected over a three-year period (2018-2020) during their active season (April-October) with a sweep net while hovering around: i) a fermenting fruit bait, and ii) a human operator acting as bait. Collected flies were morphologically identified and tested for T. callipaeda infection and Wolbachia presence by PCR. Population dynamics of species collected was associated to environmental drivers through Generalized Additive Models. Results: Of the 5,564 flies collected, 90.8% were P. variegata, 9.1% were P. oldenbergi, 0.05% were P. semivirgo, and one specimen was P. okadai. Only P. variegata scored molecularly infected with T. callipaeda throughout the three-year sampling period (1.8%). Phortica oldenbergi, observed consistently during the entire sampling period, exhibited a marked preference for fruit traps, contrasting with the lachryphagous activity of P. variegata. Analysis of environmental drivers of P. oldenbergi and P. variegatapopulation dynamics indicated temperature, wind speed, and pressure as significant factors. In addition, Wolbachia pipientis endosymbiont was detected in P. oldenbergi and P. okadai. Conclusions: For the first time, this study analysed several ecological aspects of Phortica species coexisting in a T. callipaeda endemic area, highlighting different behaviours in the same environment and the vectorial role of this zoonotic parasite. Notably, this is also the first report of the presence of P. oldenbergi in Italy and P. okadai in Europe, underscoring the importance of extensive sampling for detecting potential vectors and alien species with direct implications for vector-borne disease epidemiology.

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Thelazia callipaeda Eyeworms in American Black Bear, Pennsylvania, USA, 2023

Sobotyk,

Dietrich,

Verocai

et al. 2024

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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Emergence of Thelaziosis Caused byThelazia callipaedain Dogs and Cats, United States

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Population dynamics of sympatric Phortica spp. and first record of stable presence of Phortica oldenbergi in a Thelazia callipaeda-endemic area of Italy

Population dynamics of sympatric Phortica spp. and first record of stable presence of Phortica oldenbergi in a Thelazia callipaeda-endemic area of Italy

Population dynamics of sympatric Phortica spp. and first record of stable presence of Phortica oldenbergi in a Thelazia callipaeda-endemic area of Italy

Thelazia callipaeda Eyeworms in American Black Bear, Pennsylvania, USA, 2023

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