2025
Phylogenetic insights into the transmission dynamics of arthropod-borne viruses
Hill V, Dellicour S, Giovanetti M, Grubaugh N. Phylogenetic insights into the transmission dynamics of arthropod-borne viruses. Nature Reviews Genetics 2025, 1-15. PMID: 40481331, DOI: 10.1038/s41576-025-00854-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchArthropod-borne virusesPhylogenetic insightsPhylogenetic modelsGenomic surveillanceAnimal populationsVertebrate hostsBluetongue virusArthropod vectorsHuman clinical dataEpidemiological dynamicsVeterinary healthClimate changeComplex transmission cyclesClinical dataVirusTransmission cycleTemporal patternsEpidemiological dataComplication surveillancePhylogeneticallyCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
2024
Bacterial reprogramming of tick metabolism impacts vector fitness and susceptibility to infection
Samaddar S, Rolandelli A, O’Neal A, Laukaitis-Yousey H, Marnin L, Singh N, Wang X, Butler L, Rangghran P, Kitsou C, Cabrera Paz F, Valencia L, R. Ferraz C, Munderloh U, Khoo B, Cull B, Rosche K, Shaw D, Oliver J, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E, Pal U, Fiskum G, Polster B, Pedra J. Bacterial reprogramming of tick metabolism impacts vector fitness and susceptibility to infection. Nature Microbiology 2024, 9: 2278-2291. PMID: 38997520, PMCID: PMC11926704, DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01756-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMetabolic reprogrammingInfection of tick cellsInvestigate metabolic reprogrammingTick cellsLyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferiSusceptibility to infectionArthropod-borne pathogensMetabolomics approachRickettsia buchneriHuman pathogensMetabolite allocationDiminished survivalBacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilumSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiAcid metabolismA. phagocytophilum infectionInterspecies relationshipsElevated levelsInfectionFeeding impairmentHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisMetabolic responseArthropod vectorsI. scapularisPathogens
2023
Rapid range shifts in African Anopheles mosquitoes over the last century
Carlson C, Bannon E, Mendenhall E, Newfield T, Bansal S. Rapid range shifts in African Anopheles mosquitoes over the last century. Biology Letters 2023, 19: 20220365. PMID: 36789530, PMCID: PMC9929507, DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0365.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
Metabolic interactions between disease-transmitting vectors and their microbiota
Song X, Zhong Z, Gao L, Weiss BL, Wang J. Metabolic interactions between disease-transmitting vectors and their microbiota. Trends In Parasitology 2022, 38: 697-708. PMID: 35643853, DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.05.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDisease-transmitting vectorsSymbiotic microbesPathogen defenseHost biologyHematophagous arthropodsBacterial metabolic activitySand fliesArthropod vectorsImportant vectorAnimals/humansMetabolic interactionsEndogenous microbiotaTsetse fliesFliesRecent discoveryVector-borne diseasesBiologyMetabolic activityMosquitoesMicrobiotaDifferent arthropod vectorsArthropodsMicrobesOrganismsTicksCorrection: The Lyme disease agent co-opts adiponectin receptor-mediated signaling in its arthropod vector
Tang X, Cao Y, Arora G, Hwang J, Sajid A, Brown CL, Mehta S, Marín-López A, Chuang YM, Wu MJ, Ma H, Pal U, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E. Correction: The Lyme disease agent co-opts adiponectin receptor-mediated signaling in its arthropod vector. ELife 2022, 11: e77794. PMID: 35179491, PMCID: PMC8856650, DOI: 10.7554/elife.77794.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchReceptor-mediated signalingArthropod vectors
2021
The Lyme Disease agent co-opts adiponectin receptor-mediated signaling in its arthropod vector
Tang X, Cao Y, Arora G, Hwang J, Sajid A, Brown CL, Mehta S, Marín-López A, Chuang YM, Wu MJ, Ma H, Pal U, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E. The Lyme Disease agent co-opts adiponectin receptor-mediated signaling in its arthropod vector. ELife 2021, 10: e72568. PMID: 34783654, PMCID: PMC8639152, DOI: 10.7554/elife.72568.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsReceptor-mediated signalingAdiponectin receptorsAdiponectinLyme disease agentLyme disease spirochetePhospholipid metabolismPhosphatidylserine synthase ITick gutReceptor-like proteinMammalian homeostasisArthropod vectorsDisease agentsRNAi assaysRNA interferenceAlternative pathwaySynthase IPathwayMetabolic pathwaysTicksInfectionCytochrome b Drug Resistance Mutation Decreases Babesia Fitness in the Tick Stages But Not the Mammalian Erythrocytic Cycle
Chiu JE, Renard I, George S, Pal A, Alday PH, Narasimhan S, Riscoe MK, Doggett JS, Mamoun C. Cytochrome b Drug Resistance Mutation Decreases Babesia Fitness in the Tick Stages But Not the Mammalian Erythrocytic Cycle. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2021, 225: 135-145. PMID: 34139755, PMCID: PMC8730496, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab321.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMitochondrial cytochrome bParasite life cycleWild-type alleleTick vectorParasite fitnessCytochrome bMutant parasitesMutant allelesErythrocytic cycleArthropod vectorsNymphal stagesBabesia parasitesMutationsLife cycleFitnessTick stagesResistance mutationsMalaria-like illnessB. microtiAllelesDrug resistance mutationsParasitesHuman babesiosisTicksHost
2020
Interactions Between Ticks and Lyme Disease Spirochetes.
Pal U, Kitsou C, Drecktrah D, Yaş ÖB, Fikrig E. Interactions Between Ticks and Lyme Disease Spirochetes. Current Issues In Molecular Biology 2020, 42: 113-144. PMID: 33289683, PMCID: PMC8045411, DOI: 10.21775/cimb.042.113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsComplex enzootic life cycleEnzootic life cycleMammalian reservoir hostsMolecular interactionsLife cycleDiscrete molecular interactionsVariety of animalsRelated ticksVertebrate hostsLyme disease spirocheteArthropod vectorsSensu latoPathogen persistenceWild rodentsBacterial pathogensReservoir hostsCritical roleTick-transmitted infectionsMain vectorNortheastern United StatesPast discoveriesHostTicksArthropodsSpirochetesAn Ixodes scapularis Protein Disulfide Isomerase Contributes to Borrelia burgdorferi Colonization of the Vector
Cao Y, Rosen C, Arora G, Gupta A, Booth CJ, Murfin KE, Cerny J, Lopez A, Chuang YM, Tang X, Pal U, Ring A, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E. An Ixodes scapularis Protein Disulfide Isomerase Contributes to Borrelia burgdorferi Colonization of the Vector. Infection And Immunity 2020, 88: 10.1128/iai.00426-20. PMID: 32928964, PMCID: PMC7671890, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00426-20.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick gutTick bite siteVector-host interfaceAbility of spirochetesProtein disulfide isomerase A3Infected vertebrate hostsInflammatory responseBite siteLyme diseaseVertebrate hostsGutTick proteinsAdditional targetsMiceSpirochete life cycleSpirochete survivalArthropod vectorsSpirochetesRNA interferenceIllnessTicksRoles of Symbiotic Microorganisms in Arboviral Infection of Arthropod Vectors
Yin C, Sun P, Yu X, Wang P, Cheng G. Roles of Symbiotic Microorganisms in Arboviral Infection of Arthropod Vectors. Trends In Parasitology 2020, 36: 607-615. PMID: 32386795, DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.04.009.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2018
Vector competence of biting midges and mosquitoes for Shuni virus
Möhlmann TWR, Oymans J, Schreur P, Koenraadt CJM, Kortekaas J, Vogels CBF. Vector competence of biting midges and mosquitoes for Shuni virus. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2018, 12: e0006993. PMID: 30532189, PMCID: PMC6285265, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006993.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsShuni virusInfection rateInfectious blood mealEvidence of transmissionHigher infection rateFebrile childrenCongenital malformationsNeurological diseasesPotential transmissionPotential involvementHigh pathogenicityZoonotic potentialSimbu serogroupBlood mealVector competenceVirusMosquitoesRiskBroad tropismArthropod vectorsAedes aegyptiAnimalsCulex pipiens pipiensFurther researchFuture epizooticsA potent prolyl tRNA synthetase inhibitor antagonizes Chikungunya and Dengue viruses
Hwang J, Jiang A, Fikrig E. A potent prolyl tRNA synthetase inhibitor antagonizes Chikungunya and Dengue viruses. Antiviral Research 2018, 161: 163-168. PMID: 30521835, PMCID: PMC6345585, DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.11.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDengue virusSignificant morbiditySafe vaccineSynthetase inhibitionEndemic areasSynthetase inhibitorFlavivirus genusMosquito-bornePotent antagonistHost factorsGroup of pathogensVirusMultiple virusesChikungunyaHematophagous arthropod vectorsAedes sppArthropod vectorsEpidemic pathogensAdditional approachesMorbidityPathogensVaccineAntagonistMortalityHuman populationVisualization of Microbiota in Tick Guts by Whole-mount In Situ Hybridization.
Moss CE, Robson A, Fikrig E, Narasimhan S. Visualization of Microbiota in Tick Guts by Whole-mount In Situ Hybridization. Journal Of Visualized Experiments 2018 PMID: 29912204, PMCID: PMC6101453, DOI: 10.3791/57758.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick gutComplex microbial communitiesSitu hybridizationSequencing-based methodsTick genesVector microbiotaMicrobial communitiesParticular bacterial speciesRNA transcriptsResident microorganismsTarget RNAInterspecies interactionsBacterial speciesArthropod vectorsResident bacteriaHuman pathogensMicrobiota interactionsPathogen transmissionTick transmissionIxodes scapularis ticksVector-borne diseasesTick feedingPathogensIntact tissueMicrobiota
2017
Modulation of the tick gut milieu by a secreted tick protein favors Borrelia burgdorferi colonization
Narasimhan S, Schuijt TJ, Abraham NM, Rajeevan N, Coumou J, Graham M, Robson A, Wu MJ, Daffre S, Hovius JW, Fikrig E. Modulation of the tick gut milieu by a secreted tick protein favors Borrelia burgdorferi colonization. Nature Communications 2017, 8: 184. PMID: 28775250, PMCID: PMC5543126, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00208-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB. burgdorferi colonizationTick gutImmune responseRNA interference-mediated silencingGut microbiomeLyme disease agentBorrelia burgdorferiB. burgdorferiGutTick proteinsVivo resultsBurgdorferiPixRAbrogationTick Ixodes scapularisArthropod vectorsDisease agentsGut proteinsIxodes scapularisAlterationsGut genesMicrobiomeTick biologyMiceBacterial biofilm formationChapter 14 Translation of Saliva Proteins Into Tools to Prevent Vector-Borne Disease Transmission
Narasimhan S, Schleicher T, Fikrig E. Chapter 14 Translation of Saliva Proteins Into Tools to Prevent Vector-Borne Disease Transmission. 2017, 249-300. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-805360-7.00014-9.ChaptersPathogen transmissionArthropod vectorsVector-pathogen interactionsBlood mealVector salivaVector-borne disease transmissionTransmit pathogensMolecular understandingHematophagous arthropodsHost immune responseMicrobesArthropodsImmune responseSalivary proteinsPathogensHostArthropod salivaMicroorganism transmission
2016
Transmission bottlenecks and RNAi collectively influence tick-borne flavivirus evolution
Grubaugh ND, Rückert C, Armstrong PM, Bransfield A, Anderson JF, Ebel GD, Brackney DE. Transmission bottlenecks and RNAi collectively influence tick-borne flavivirus evolution. Virus Evolution 2016, 2: vew033. PMID: 28058113, PMCID: PMC5210029, DOI: 10.1093/ve/vew033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSimilar selective pressuresMicro-evolutionary forcesGreat genetic plasticityArthropod-borne RNA virusesVirus populationsLong-term evolutionary trendsGenetic bottleneckSelective constraintsFlavivirus evolutionEcological nichesGenetic plasticitySelective pressureVertebrate hostsPopulation dynamicsArthropod-borne virusesRNA virusesEvolutionary trendsArthropod vectorsMolecular levelMechanistic explanationTransmission bottleneckHostHeterogeneous populationUnique rateRNAiGenetics of War and Truce between Mosquitos and Emerging Viruses
Hwang J, Jurado KA, Fikrig E. Genetics of War and Truce between Mosquitos and Emerging Viruses. Cell Host & Microbe 2016, 19: 583-587. PMID: 27173926, PMCID: PMC7063512, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2016.04.009.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2015
Whole genome capture of vector-borne pathogens from mixed DNA samples: a case study of Borrelia burgdorferi
Carpi G, Walter KS, Bent SJ, Hoen AG, Diuk-Wasser M, Caccone A. Whole genome capture of vector-borne pathogens from mixed DNA samples: a case study of Borrelia burgdorferi. BMC Genomics 2015, 16: 434. PMID: 26048573, PMCID: PMC4458057, DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1634-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWhole-genome captureGenome captureGenomic studiesPopulation genomic studiesArthropod vectorsPathogen DNABorrelia burgdorferi genomeNext-generation sequencing technologiesWhole genome sequencesMixed DNA templatesCulture-independent methodsGeneration sequencing technologyPathogen sequence dataFine-resolution studiesGenome sequenceVector-Borne PathogensMixed DNA samplesSingle nucleotide polymorphismsComplete genomeEvolutionary dynamicsSequence dataSequencing technologiesDisease vectorsStudy systemDNA template
2014
Gut Microbiota of the Tick Vector Ixodes scapularis Modulate Colonization of the Lyme Disease Spirochete
Narasimhan S, Rajeevan N, Liu L, Zhao YO, Heisig J, Pan J, Eppler-Epstein R, DePonte K, Fish D, Fikrig E. Gut Microbiota of the Tick Vector Ixodes scapularis Modulate Colonization of the Lyme Disease Spirochete. Cell Host & Microbe 2014, 15: 58-71. PMID: 24439898, PMCID: PMC3905459, DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.12.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeritrophic matrixTranscription factor signal transducerPathogen colonizationLyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferiActivator of transcriptionGut microbiotaArthropod gutsSignal transducerLyme disease spirocheteFunctional linkArthropod vectorsMajor vectorKey glycoproteinsHuman pathogensSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiGut epitheliumIxodes scapularis ticksColonizationGut epithelial barrierMicrobiotaExpressionGut lumenScapularis ticksBorrelia burgdorferiEpithelial barrier
2011
Hunting in the rainforest and mayaro virus infection: An emerging alphavirus in Ecuador
Izurieta RO, Macaluso M, Watts DM, Tesh RB, Guerra B, Cruz LM, Galwankar S, Vermund SH. Hunting in the rainforest and mayaro virus infection: An emerging alphavirus in Ecuador. Journal Of Global Infectious Diseases 2011, 3: 317-323. PMID: 22223990, PMCID: PMC3249982, DOI: 10.4103/0974-777x.91049.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMayaro virus infectionVirus infectionRisk factorsMayaro virusHumoral immune responsePotential risk factorsCross-sectional studyIgG-specific antibodiesSeroepidemiological methodsImmune responseStudy populationPrevalence ratesBirth cohortInfectionSporadic outbreaksSignificant predictorsVirusAlphavirusesArthropod vectorsEthnic groupsAmazonian nativesPotential presenceSubjectsNative menSystematic evaluation
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