Enhanced attraction of sand fly vectors of Leishmania infantum to dogs infected with zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis

Chelbi, Ifhem; Maghraoui, Khouloud; Zhioua, Sami; Cherni, Saifedine; Labidi, Imen; Satoskar, Abhay R.; Hamilton, James G. C.; Zhioua, Elyes

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0009647

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 56 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…During the entomological investigation carried out during two consecutive years, 2009 and 2010, sandflies belonging to the subgenus Larroussius were predominantly P. perniciosus , P. longicuspis , and P. perfiliewi . These findings are concordant with previous studies performed in Northern Tunisia showing the predominance of these sandfly species [ 21 , 24 , 30 ]. The phenology of sandfly species performed from May to November 2010 showed two main peaks: a small one in June and a second larger one in September–October.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Previous studies performed by our group showed that PUNV or closely related antigenic variants are able to infect humans, but at a low rate [ 47 ] compared with dogs [ 46 ]. The low sero-prevalence observed among humans compared with dogs could be explained by the zoophilic behavior of sandfly species of the subgenus Larroussius, mainly P. perniciosus [ 30 ]. More studies are needed to investigate the epidemiological impact of PUNV on humans and on dogs and the relationship with Leishmania infantum , an etiological agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis [ 30 , 48 , 49 ], as both pathogens are transmitted by the same sandfly species belonging to the subgenus Larroussius [ 50 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Transmission Dynamics of Punique Virus in Tunisia

Dachraoui

Chelbi

Saïd

et al. 2022

Viruses

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A novel phlebovirus, Punique virus (PUNV), was discovered and isolated in 2008 from sandflies from Northern Tunisia. PUNV is now classified as a unique member of the Punique phlebovirus species within the Phlebovirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family (order bunyavirales). In this study, we aimed to investigate the transmission dynamics of PUNV in Tunisia. Sandflies were collected during two consecutive years, 2009 and 2010, by CDC light traps. In 2009, a total of 873 sandflies were collected and identified to the species level. Phlebotomus perniciosus was the most abundant species. One pool of P. perniciosus females collected in autumn contained PUNV RNA, yielding an infection rate of 0.11%. The population densities of circulating sandfly species were assessed during May–November 2010 in Northern Tunisia by using sticky traps. Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus (71.74%) was the most abundant species, followed by Phlebotumus (Larroussius) longicuspis (17.47%), and Phlebotumus (Larroussius) perfiliewi (8.82%). The densities of dominant sandfly species were found to peak in early spring and again in the autumn. In 2010, species identification was not performed, and sandflies were only discriminated on the basis of sex and collection date. Out of 249 pools, three contained PUNV RNA. Each positive pool allowed virus isolation. The three pools of female sandflies containing PUNV RNA were collected in autumn with an infection rate of 0.05%. These findings provide further evidence that P. perniciosus is the main vector of PUNV in Tunisia, and this phlebovirus is endemic in Tunisia. Our findings provided strong evidence of intensive circulation of PUNV in sandflies and hosts through a viral infection buildup process between sandfly vectors and hosts starting at the beginning of the activity of sandflies in spring to reach a maximum during the second main peak in autumn.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transmission Dynamics of Punique Virus in Tunisia

Dachraoui

Chelbi

Saïd

et al. 2022

Viruses

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Previous studies on human malaria have supported this hypothesis, showing that Anopheles mosquitos are more attracted to infected people (Yan et al, 2021). Likewise, Chelbi et al (2021) observed that Leishmania-infected hosts are more attractive to sand flies. This phenomenon could be potentially explained by the increased emission of olfactory attractants from infected hosts (Yan et al, 2021).…”

Section: Evolutionary Consequences Of Vector Transmission For Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Likewise, Chelbi et al . ( 2021 ) observed that Leishmania -infected hosts are more attractive to sand flies. This phenomenon could be potentially explained by the increased emission of olfactory attractants from infected hosts (Yan et al ., 2021 ).…”

Section: Evolutionary Consequences Of Vector Transmission For Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolutionary consequences of vector-borne transmission: how using vectors shapes host, vector and pathogen evolution

Dutra

Poulin²,

Ferreira³

2022

Parasitology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Transmission mode is a key factor that influences host–parasite coevolution. Vector-borne pathogens are among the most important disease agents for humans and wildlife due to their broad distribution, high diversity, prevalence and lethality. They comprise some of the most important and widespread human pathogens, such as yellow fever, leishmania and malaria. Vector-borne parasites (in this review, those transmitted by blood-feeding Diptera) follow unique transmission routes towards their vertebrate hosts. Consequently, each part of this tri-partite (i.e. parasite, vector and host) interaction can influence co- and counter-evolutionary pressures among antagonists. This mode of transmission may favour the evolution of greater virulence to the vertebrate host; however, pathogen–vector interactions can also have a broad spectrum of fitness costs to the insect vector. To complete their life cycle, vector-borne pathogens must overcome immune responses from 2 unrelated organisms, since they can activate responses in both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, possibly creating a trade-off between investments against both types of immunity. Here, we assess how dipteran vector-borne transmission shapes the evolution of hosts, vectors and the pathogens themselves. Hosts, vectors and pathogens co-evolve together in a constant antagonistic arms race with each participant's primary goal being to maximize its performance and fitness.

show abstract

“…Recent published data show that Leishmania -infected dogs were significantly more attractive to P. perniciosus than uninfected dogs under both laboratory and field conditions [ 22 ] . A similar behavior was detected when L longipalpis was tested [ 23 ].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Insecticidal efficacy against Phlebotomus perniciosus in dogs treated orally with fluralaner in two different parallel-group, negative-control, random and masked trials

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Dogs are the reservoir host of Leishmania infantum, the agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which is transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies. The sand fly Phlebotomus perniciosus is the main vector of zoonotic VL in the western Mediterranean region. Fluralaner has been shown to effectively kill this vector. The aim of this study was to evaluate the insecticidal efficacy of oral fluralaner in dogs bitten by P. perniciosus. Methods Two parallel-group, negative-controlled, randomized, masked laboratory trials with equivalent designs were performed in two different locations using two different pathogen-free laboratory-bred P. perniciosus strains for the challenge. In each trial, 12 purpose-bred beagles, initially ranked on natural attractiveness to sand flies, were randomly allocated to two groups (6 animals/group). Dogs in one group received fluralaner orally at the approved dose on day 0, and dogs in the control group were not treated. Each dog was subsequently exposed to an average of 70 unfed live sand fly females on days 1, 28, 56 and 84. Viability of blood-fed females was then evaluated for up to 96 h after exposure, and insecticidal efficacy was measured as the survival rate of flies fed on the fluralaner-treated dogs versus that of dogs in the control group. Significance was calculated for the proportion of live fed sand fly counts from treated versus control group dogs. Results Comparison of the survival proportions between treated and control groups showed that fluralaner insecticidal efficacy was highly significant in both trials (P < 0.001 or P < 0.01 in different assessments) through to day 56. In the first trial, efficacy reached 100% on days 1 and 28, and 99.1% on day 56; in the second trial, the insecticidal efficacy was 98.5, 100 and 85.9%, respectively on the same days. On day 84, efficacy was in the range of 53–57% (P < 0.05) in the first trial and 0% in the second trial. Conclusion A single oral fluralaner administration to dogs under laboratory conditions results in strong and reproducible insecticidal efficacy against P. perniciosus for at least 8 weeks. Graphical Abstract

show abstract

Enhanced attraction of sand fly vectors of Leishmania infantum to dogs infected with zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis

Cited by 9 publications

References 56 publications

Transmission Dynamics of Punique Virus in Tunisia

Transmission Dynamics of Punique Virus in Tunisia

Evolutionary consequences of vector-borne transmission: how using vectors shapes host, vector and pathogen evolution

Insecticidal efficacy against Phlebotomus perniciosus in dogs treated orally with fluralaner in two different parallel-group, negative-control, random and masked trials

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About