| discrimination of culicoides midge larvae using multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays based on dna sequence variation at the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase i gene. | the recent spread of bluetongue disease in northwestern europe has indicated the ability of palaearctic culicoides species to vector the disease. because the different midge species vary in their ability to harbor and transmit the bluetongue virus, quick and reliable identification is necessary to resolve the species composition of midge communities, both adult and larval, at any place at any given time point. given that morphological identification of culicoides species is problematic, we devel ... | 2009 | 19496434 |
| monitoring of biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae: culicoides latreille) on farms in sweden during the emergence of the 2008 epidemic of bluetongue. | in light of the emergence of bluetongue in northern europe, populations of culicoides species were monitored in 2007-2008 by means of onderstepoort blacklight suction traps operating at livestock farms in sweden. the location of the 22 sampling sites ranged from about latitude 55 degrees n to about 68 degrees n. a total of 61,669 male and female culicoides were captured, of which, 52,319 were trapped outside the farms and 9,350 in byres or livestock sheds. thirty-three culicoides species were re ... | 2010 | 20174825 |
| role of different culicoides vectors (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in bluetongue virus transmission and overwintering in sardinia (italy). | bluetongue (bt) epidemics have affected the mediterranean island of sardinia since 2000. while culicoides imicola represents the main bluetongue virus (btv) vector, other european culicoides biting midges, possibly implicated in virus transmission, have been detected here. understanding their distribution, seasonal abundance, and infection rates is necessary to predict disease incidence and spread across coastal and inland areas, and to define their role in virus overwintering. | 2016 | 27502924 |
| the dying of the light: crepuscular activity in culicoides and impact on light trap efficacy at temperate latitudes. | the light trap is the tool of choice for conducting large-scale culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) vector surveillance programmes. its efficacy is in doubt, however. to assess this, hourly changes in culicoides activity over the 24-h diel were determined comparatively by way of light trapping and aerial sweeping, and correlated against light intensity. in the netherlands, sweeping around cattle at pasture revealed that, in early summer, culicoides are active throughout the diel, and that thei ... | 2016 | 26555116 |
| biotic and abiotic factors influencing distribution and abundance of culicoides obsoletus group (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in central italy. | in the framework of a bluetongue surveillance program including clinical, serological, and entomological activities, culicoides biting midges were light trapped weekly in two regions of central italy, lazio and tuscany. in the period january 2002 through december 2005, 3,944 collections were carried out in 189 trap sites distributed in all the provinces of the two regions. abundance data of c. obsoletus group were analyzed in relation to trap site altitude, distance from the sea, land use, and n ... | 2010 | 20496577 |
| circadian activity of culicoides oxystoma (diptera: ceratopogonidae), potential vector of bluetongue and african horse sickness viruses in the niayes area, senegal. | culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are important vectors of arboviruses in africa. culicoides oxystoma has been recently recorded in the niayes region of senegal (west africa) and its high abundance on horses suggests a potential implication in the transmission of the african horse sickness virus in this region. this species is also suspected to transmit bluetongue virus to imported breeds of sheep. little information is available on the biology and ecology of culicoides in afri ... | 2015 | 26002826 |
| culicoides midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) as vectors of orbiviruses in slovakia. | in recent years, rapid spread of culicoides-borne pathogens such as bluetongue (bt) and schmallenberg viruses have been reported in europe. in this study we examined the culicoides populations in farms with wild and domestic ruminants in eastern slovakia with the aim to confirm the presence of biting midges serving as potential vectors of important pathogens. the main vector complexes were the obsoletus complex (54%; n=4,209) and the pulicaris complex (23%; n=1,796). to estimate the relative abu ... | 2014 | 25273963 |
| first detection of endosymbiotic bacteria in biting midges culicoides pulicaris and culicoides punctatus, important palaearctic vectors of bluetongue virus. | heritable bacteria have been highlighted as important components of vector biology, acting as required symbionts with an anabolic role, altering competence for disease transmission, and affecting patterns of gene flow by altering cross compatibility. in this paper, we tested eight u.k. species of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) midge for the presence of five genera of endosymbiotic bacteria: cardinium (bacteroidales: bacteroidaceae); wolbachia (rickettsiales: rickettsiaceae); spiroplasma ( ... | 2014 | 24612104 |
| does covering of farm-associated culicoides larval habitat reduce adult populations in the united kingdom? | culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are the biological vectors of a range of internationally important arboviruses of livestock, including bluetongue virus (btv) and the recently emerging schmallenberg virus (sbv). culicoides species in the subgenus avaritia (in the uk: culicoides obsoletus meigen, culicoides scoticus downes & kettle, culicoides dewulfi goetghebuer and culicoides chiopterus meigen) have been implicated in btv transmission in northern europe and to a varying degre ... | 2013 | 24472769 |
| evaluating the protective efficacy of a trivalent vaccine containing akabane virus, aino virus and chuzan virus against schmallenberg virus infection. | schmallenberg virus (sbv), an arthropod borne pathogen, spread rapidly throughout the majority of europe since 2011. it can cause a febrile disease, milk drop, diarrhea, and fetal malformation in ruminants. sbv, a member of the simbu serogroup within the genus orthobunyavirus, is closely related to akabane virus (akav) and aino virus (ainov) among others. in the present study, 4 holstein-friesian calves were immunized twice four weeks apart with a multivalent, inactivated vaccine against akav an ... | 2013 | 24313924 |
| the range of attraction for light traps catching culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae). | culicoides are vectors of e.g. bluetongue virus and schmallenberg virus in northern europe. light trapping is an important tool for detecting the presence and quantifying the abundance of vectors in the field. until now, few studies have investigated the range of attraction of light traps. | 2013 | 23497628 |
| a survey of culicoides developmental sites on a farm in northern spain, with a brief review of immature habitats of european species. | culicoides species (diptera: ceratopogonidae) belonging to the obsoletus and pulicaris groups are considered to be the main vectors of bluetongue virus (btv) in non mediterranean europe. selected terrestrial microhabitats (n=17) on a farm in northern spain were sampled repeatedly over a year-long period and characterized for use by culicoides species for immature development. concurrent use of cdc light traps showed the presence of 37 species and 66,575 specimens of adult culicoides. a total of ... | 2013 | 22999100 |
| host preferences of palaearctic culicoides biting midges: implications for transmission of orbiviruses. | feeding success depends on host availability, host defensive reactions and host preferences. host choice is a critical determinant of the intensity at which pathogens are transmitted. the aim of the current study was to describe host preferences of palaearctic culicoides species (diptera: ceratopogonidae) latreille using traps baited with the five different host species of poultry, horse, cattle, sheep and goat. collections were carried out nightly in july and august 2009 in western france with ... | 2013 | 22985009 |
| chemical composition of silage residues sustaining the larval development of the culicoides obsoletus/culicoides scoticus species (diptera: ceratopogonidae). | culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are biological vectors of bluetongue virus (btv). bluetongue is a viral disease that affects domestic and wild ruminants. since its recent emergence in northern europe, this disease has caused considerable economic losses to the sheep and cattle industry. the biotopes, and more particularly the chemical characteristics which are suitable for larval development of the main vector species, are still relatively unknown. this study shows that the larvae of bitin ... | 2013 | 22963713 |
| schmallenberg virus in culicoides spp. biting midges, the netherlands, 2011. | to determine which species of culicoides biting midges carry schmallenberg virus (sbv), we assayed midges collected in the netherlands during autumn 2011. sbv rna was found in c. scoticus, c. obsoletus sensu stricto, and c. chiopterus. the high proportion of infected midges might explain the rapid spread of sbv throughout europe. | 0 | 23260040 |
| host-seeking activity of bluetongue virus vectors: endo/exophagy and circadian rhythm of culicoides in western europe. | feeding success of free-living hematophagous insects depends on their ability to be active when hosts are available and to reach places where hosts are accessible. when the hematophagous insect is a vector of pathogens, determining the components of host-seeking behavior is of primary interest for the assessment of transmission risk. our aim was to describe endo/exophagy and circadian host-seeking activity of palaearctic culicoides species, which are major biting pests and arbovirus vectors, usi ... | 2012 | 23144735 |
| understanding spatio-temporal variability in the reproduction ratio of the bluetongue (btv-1) epidemic in southern spain (andalusia) in 2007 using epidemic trees. | andalusia (southern spain) is considered one of the main routes of introduction of bluetongue virus (btv) into europe, evidenced by a devastating epidemic caused by btv-1 in 2007. understanding the pattern and the drivers of btv-1 spread in andalusia is critical for effective detection and control of future epidemics. a long-standing metric for quantifying the behaviour of infectious diseases is the case-reproduction ratio (rt), defined as the average number of secondary cases arising from a sin ... | 2016 | 26963397 |
| socioeconomic indicators of heat-related health risk supplemented with remotely sensed data. | extreme heat events are the number one cause of weather-related fatalities in the united states. the current system of alert for extreme heat events does not take into account intra-urban spatial variation in risk. the purpose of this study is to evaluate a potential method to improve spatial delineation of risk from extreme heat events in urban environments by integrating sociodemographic risk factors with estimates of land surface temperature derived from thermal remote sensing data. | 2009 | 19835578 |
| susceptibility of culicoides species biting midges to deltamethrin-treated nets as determined under laboratory and field conditions in the balearic islands, spain. | culicoides latreille (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are vectors of several arboviruses, including bluetongue virus (btv) and african horse sickness virus (ahsv), which cause diseases in, respectively, sheep and cattle, and horses, and have economic repercussions mainly as a result of trade restrictions. insecticides can be used to reduce vector populations and hence the spread of disease. despite the economic importance of these diseases, relatively few studies have evaluated the efficacy of commerc ... | 2014 | 24890642 |
| the 'culicoides obsoletus group' in italy: relative abundance, geographic range, and role as vector for bluetongue virus. | as bluetongue virus (btv) spread in italy following its first incursion in 2000, it soon became apparent that, besides culicoides imicola, additional species of the subgenus avaritia were involved as vectors, namely one or more of the species that belong to the so-called 'culicoides obsoletus group', which comprises c. dewulfi, c. chiopterus, c. obsoletus sensu stricto, c. scoticus and c. montanus; the three last named species are considered generally as forming the obsoletus complex. this study ... | 2016 | 27723032 |
| schmallenberg virus in germany 2011-2014: searching for the vectors. | following the emergence of schmallenberg virus (sbv) in 2011, 21,397 culicoid biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) from targeted and non-targeted sampling activities carried out during the summer months of 2011 to 2013 and in late 2014 in various regions in germany were analyzed for the virus by real-time rt-pcr. while no sbv was found in biting midges collected during 2011 and 2013, 2 out of 334 pools including 20 and 22 non-engorged females of the obsoletus complex sampled in 2012 tested p ... | 0 | 26462800 |
| allergen-specific cytokine polarization protects shetland ponies against culicoides obsoletus-induced insect bite hypersensitivity. | the immunological mechanisms explaining development of an allergy in some individuals and not in others remain incompletely understood. insect bite hypersensitivity (ibh) is a common, seasonal, ige-mediated, pruritic skin disorder that affects considerable proportions of horses of different breeds, which is caused by bites of the insect culicoides obsoletus (c. obsoletus). we investigated the allergen-specific immune status of individual horses that had either been diagnosed to be healthy or to ... | 2015 | 25901733 |
| barcoding of biting midges in the genus culicoides: a tool for species determination. | biting midges of the genus culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are insect vectors of economically important veterinary diseases such as african horse sickness virus and bluetongue virus. however, the identification of culicoides based on morphological features is difficult. the sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit i (coi), referred to as dna barcoding, has been proposed as a tool for rapid identification to species. hence, a study was undertaken to establish dna barcodes for ... | 2013 | 23106166 |
| a comparison of four light traps for collecting culicoides biting midges. | epidemiological analyses of vector-associated diseases such as bluetongue (bt), african horse sickness, or epizootic hemorrhagic disease require substantiated data on the species diversity and activity patterns of vector species. to this end, spain and italy implemented extensive culicoides biting midge monitoring programs since 2000, as several other countries did after the arrival of bt in northern europe in 2006. the seasonal occurrence, spatial distribution, and abundance of culicoides speci ... | 2015 | 26358105 |
| arthropod surveillance programs: basic components, strategies, and analysis. | effective entomological surveillance planning stresses a careful consideration of methodology, trapping technologies, and analysis techniques. herein, the basic principles and technological components of arthropod surveillance plans are described, as promoted in the symposium "advancements in arthropod monitoring technology, techniques, and analysis" presented at the 58th annual meeting of the entomological society of america in san diego, ca. interdisciplinary examples of arthropod monitoring f ... | 0 | 26543242 |
| culicoides monitoring in belgium in 2011: analysis of spatiotemporal abundance, species diversity and schmallenberg virus detection. | in 2011, culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) were collected at 16 locations covering four regions of belgium with onderstepoort veterinary institute (ovi) traps and at two locations with rothamsted suction traps (rsts). quantification of the collections and morphological identification showed important variations in abundance and species diversity between individual collection sites, even for sites located in the same region. however, consistently higher numbers of culicoides midges were colle ... | 2015 | 25761054 |
| schmallenberg virus in italy: a retrospective survey in culicoides stored during the bluetongue italian surveillance program. | following the first case of schmallenberg (sbv) in northern italy in february 2012, virus detection was conducted on midges collected during the national entomological surveillance program for bluetongue (bt). six cattle farms, within a radius of 50 km from the sbv case, were selected for a 12 month study, aiming to determine when the virus entered the area, if it was capable of overwintering, and the possible role played by each species of the obsoletus complex in disseminating the infection. a ... | 2013 | 23791122 |
| cloning and expression of candidate allergens from culicoides obsoletus for diagnosis of insect bite hypersensitivity in horses. | insect bite hypersensitivity (ibh) is an ige-mediated (type i) hypersensitivity reaction induced by allergens from biting midges of the culicoides spp. the aim of the present study was to identify, clone and express recombinant allergens from c. obsoletus, the main species found feeding on horses in the netherlands, by sequence homology searches on the c. obsoletus specific rna database, with previously described allergens from c. nubeculosus and c. sonorensis. blast searches with these describe ... | 2013 | 23561552 |
| first report of schmallenberg virus infection in cattle and midges in poland. | two outbreaks of schmallenberg virus (sbv) infection that coincided with the introduction of two bulls imported from france into two herds located in west pomerania and silesia provinces in poland are described in detail. the first sbv real-time rt-pcr-positive result was obtained during routine testing of one of the imported bulls. the second bull and the affected farms were tracked by further investigation. transmission of sbv into polish cattle herds where the bulls were imported was confirme ... | 2013 | 23331471 |
| culicoides biting midge density in relation to the position and substrate temperature in a cattle dung heap. | dung heaps offer warm breeding sites, which might be suitable for a continuing development or even emergence at low air temperatures in winter. therefore, this study collected substrate samples from the outer surface and core of a cattle dung heap at the beginning of the winter period. we aimed to analyze the density of immature culicoides in relation to substrate position and temperature. we took samples from the outer layer and core of the dung heap at different heights. floatation was used to ... | 2014 | 25339512 |
| urban forests as hubs for novel zoonosis: blood meal analysis, seasonal variation in culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) vectors, and avian haemosporidians. | culicoides vectors can transmit a diverse array of parasites and are globally distributed. we studied feeding preferences and seasonal variation of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) vectors in an urban forest of germany to determine whether humans living nearby are readily exposed to vector-borne parasites from wild animals. we used a fragment of the mtdna coi gene to identify hosts from blood meals. we amplified a fragment of the mtdna cyt b to detect haemosporidian infections in culicoides ... | 2013 | 23981661 |
| eco-climatic indicators for three culicoides species of the obsoletus complex in italy. | bluetongue, schmallenberg and african horse sickness viruses are transmitted by vectors belonging to the genus culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae). among this genus, species of the obsoletus complex play a crucial role in europe. in italy the complex includes three species: culicoides obsoletus sensu strictu, culicoides scoticus and culicoides montanus. these three sibling species were identified in 80 collection sites across italy through a multiplex pcr test. sixty‑four sites were classified ... | 2016 | 27723029 |
| wing geometry as a tool for discrimination of obsoletus group (diptera: ceratopogonidae: culicoides) in france. | in europe, culicoides chiopterus, culicoides dewulfi, culicoides obsoletus and culicoides scoticus, which belongs to the subgenus avaritia and obsoletus group are the most proficient bluetongue and schmallenberg vectors. within this group, correct identification based on morphological traits is difficult but essential to assess disease transmission risk. the development of new tools has revolutionized taxonomy (i.e. geometric morphometrics and molecular biology). wing morphology is of primary im ... | 2014 | 24514019 |
| oral administration of transgenic barley expressing a culicoides allergen induces specific antibody response. | insect bite hypersensitivity is an immunoglobulin (ig)e-mediated dermatitis of horses initiated by bites of midges of the genus culicoides. culicoides spp. are not indigenous to iceland and the prevalence of insect bite hypersensitivity is much higher in horses born in iceland and exported as compared to icelandic horses born in a culicoides rich environment. immunotherapy is therefore needed. | 2016 | 27859584 |
| comparative study of antennal and maxillary palp olfactory sensilla of female biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae: culicoides) in the context of host preference and phylogeny. | culicoides biting midges (diptera ceratopogonidae) are vectors of disease, including bluetongue and african horse sickness. host preference of these insects is primarily regulated by olfactory cues, detected by olfactory sensilla on the antennae and maxillary palps. in this study, we analyzed the sensillum repertoire of biting midge species with known host preferences. five different morphological sensillum types, sensilla trichodea, s. chaetica, s. ampullacea, s. coeloconica, and grooved peg se ... | 2013 | 23802442 |
| a survey of biting midges of the genus culicoides latreille, 1809 (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in ne bulgaria, with respect to transmission of avian haemosporidians. | this study presents data from a molecular survey of the species of the genus culicoides from the region of kalimok field station (ne bulgaria) and haemosporidian parasites occurring in them in order to investigate the host-parasite specificity of haemosporidians to their dipteran vectors. the identification of culicoides spp. was carried out by morphological and molecular-genetic methods. we collected and analysed 230 individuals of the genus culicoides. nine species were found. eight species we ... | 2013 | 24338323 |
| investigation of diel activity of culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in the united kingdom by using a vehicle-mounted trap. | truck trap collections of culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) were made during 2 yr of sampling from 2008 to 2009 at a farm site in southern england. samples were collected from 810 sample runs carried out over 52 d and contained 7,095 culicoides of which more than half (50.3%) were identified as culicoides obsoletus meigen by using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay. other commonly encountered species included culicoides scoticus downes & kettle (14.7% of total culicoid ... | 2012 | 22679886 |
| factors associated with culicoides obsoletus complex spp.-specific ige reactivity in icelandic horses and shetland ponies. | insect bite hypersensitivity (ibh) is a common allergic skin disease in horses, caused by biting insects of the culicoides spp. in the netherlands, culicoides spp. of the obsoletus complex are the most important midges involved in ibh. the aim of the present study was to identify and quantify associations between several endogenous (host) and exogenous (environmental) factors and immunoglobulin e (ige) reactivity against obsoletus complex-derived whole body extract or seven recombinant allergens ... | 2014 | 24881512 |
| community analysis of biting midges (culicoides latr.) on livestock farms in denmark. | this study presents descriptive statistics and community analysis of adult biting midges trapped at 16 livestock farms by means of light traps on zealand and lolland-falster, denmark. a total of 9,047 male and female culicoides divided into 24 species, were caught. biotic and abiotic factors ranging from presence of different host species (cattle or sheep/goats), presence of small woody areas or wetlands in the surrounding landscape, and agricultural practice (organic or conventional) were inclu ... | 2014 | 25326377 |
| detection of the schmallenberg virus in nulliparous culicoides obsoletus/scoticus complex and c. punctatus--the possibility of transovarial virus transmission in the midge population and of a new vector. | the arthropod-borne schmallenberg virus (sbv) emerged in europe in the late summer/autumn of 2011. sbv spread across the continent until 2012. this paper presents sbv detection in female culicoides spp. caught in uv traps located in 23 different locations in poland. the midges were divided into pools containing 20.5 individual insects on average according to species and parity status. the study was based on duplex real-time reverse transcription pcr (rt-pcr) for the detection of the sbv s segmen ... | 2013 | 23928121 |
| simultaneous quantification of the relative abundance of species complex members: application to culicoides obsoletus and culicoides scoticus (diptera: ceratopogonidae), potential vectors of bluetongue virus. | the two sympatric sibling species culicoides obsoletus (meigen) and culicoides scoticus downes and kettle (diptera: ceratopogonidae), are known to be competent vectors for bluetongue virus in the palaearctic region. however, morphological identification of constituent species is only readily applicable to adult males and these two species distinguishing traits have overlapping character states. as their vector competence may differ in space and time, the correct identification and quantification ... | 2011 | 21715095 |
| flight and swarming behaviour of culicoides species (diptera: ceratopogonidae) on a livestock farm in northern spain. | the efficacy of sweep nets and a cdc white light-suction trap for the sampling of culicoides species (diptera: ceratopogonidae) were compared on a livestock farm in northern spain during the summer of 2013. a total of 6,082 specimens representing 26 species were collected with sweep nets in 4 areas at di erent heights (ground level, 1.5 m, and 3 m), and 8,463 specimens representing 28 species with a single white light trap. eight species - culicoides brunnicans, culicoides punctatus, culicoides ... | 2017 | 28675253 |
| spatio-temporal optimization of sampling for bluetongue vectors (culicoides) near grazing livestock. | estimating the abundance of culicoides using light traps is influenced by a large variation in abundance in time and place. this study investigates the optimal trapping strategy to estimate the abundance or presence/absence of culicoides on a field with grazing animals. we used 45 light traps to sample specimens from the culicoides obsoletus species complex on a 14 hectare field during 16 nights in 2009. | 2013 | 23705770 |
| economic comparison of the monitoring programmes for bluetongue vectors in austria and switzerland. | with the bluetongue virus serotype 8 (btv-8) outbreak in 2006, vector monitoring programmes (according to eu regulation 1266/2007) were implemented by european countries to obtain information on the spatial distribution of vectors and the vector-free period. this study investigates the vector monitoring programmes in austria and switzerland by performing a retrospective cost analysis for the period 2006-2010. two types of costs were distinguished: costs financed directly via the national blueton ... | 2015 | 25841165 |
| local dispersal of palaearctic culicoides biting midges estimated by mark-release-recapture. | farm to farm movement of culicoides midges is believed to play a critical role in the spread of bluetongue (bt), schmallenberg and other midge-borne diseases. to help understand and predict the spread of diseases carried by midges, there is a need to determine their dispersal patterns, and to identify factors contributing to the direction taken and distance travelled. | 2015 | 25886488 |
| environmental drivers of culicoides phenology: how important is species-specific variation when determining disease policy? | since 2006, arboviruses transmitted by culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) have caused significant disruption to ruminant production in northern europe. the most serious incursions involved strains of bluetongue virus (btv), which cause bluetongue (bt) disease. to control spread of btv, movement of susceptible livestock is restricted with economic and animal welfare impacts. the timing of btv transmission in temperate regions is partly determined by the seasonal presence of adult ... | 2014 | 25386940 |
| culicoides (avaritia) gornostaevae mirzaeva, 1984 (diptera: ceratopogonidae)--a possible vector species of the obsoletus group new to the european fauna. | culicoides gornostaevae mirzaeva, 1984, known previously only from siberia, is a boreal species included into the obsoletus group of culicoides sg. avaritia. members of the subgenus can act as vectors of various diseases. in europe they are involved in the transmission of the schmallenberg virus and bluetongue virus. | 2014 | 25270724 |
| feeding behaviour of culicoides spp. (diptera: ceratopogonidae) on cattle and sheep in northeast germany. | culicoides spp. play an important role in the transmission of several vector-borne pathogens such as bluetongue and schmallenberg virus in europe. to better understand the biology of local culicoides species, a study divided into three parts was performed in northeast germany to elucidate the feeding activity patterns (study a), preferential landing and feeding sites (study b) and host feeding preferences (study c) of culicoides spp. using cattle and sheep as baits. | 2014 | 24438698 |
| seasonal differences in cytokine expression in the skin of shetland ponies suffering from insect bite hypersensitivity. | insect bite hypersensitivity (ibh) in horses is a seasonal, ige-mediated, pruritic skin disorder primarily caused by culicoides spp. we hypothesize that a mixed th2/th1-type immune status, off season, alters into th2-dominated immune reactivity in the skin of ibh-affected ponies in the ibh season. to study these immune response patterns culicoides-specific ige levels, skin histopathology and cytokine and transcription factor mrna expression (il4, il10, il13, ifnγ, foxp3 and cd3(ζ)) in lesional a ... | 2013 | 23219157 |
| monitoring bluetongue virus vectors in andalusia (sw europe): culicoides species composition and factors affecting capture rates of the biting midge culicoides imicola. | in this work, we summarize the results of captures of culicoides species in andalusia (s spain) during 2007-2008. four out of the 15 midge species-culicoides imicola, culicoides obsoletus complex, culicoides pulicaris complex, and culicoides nubeculosus-accounted for 80.7 % of captures (n = 68,190). captures were seasonal and mostly occurred in may-november. the overall number of culicoides specimens captured and the mean number of caught per trap were higher in 2007. we used an information-theo ... | 2012 | 22610444 |
| recombinant culicoides obsoletus complex allergens stimulate antigen-specific t cells of insect bite hypersensitive shetland ponies in vitro. | ponies may suffer from insect bite hypersensitivity (ibh), an allergic ige-mediated pruritic skin disorder, induced by allergens from biting midges of the culicoides spp. | 2015 | 26345148 |
| detrimental effect of cypermethrin treated nets on culicoides populations (diptera; ceratopogonidae) and non-targeted fauna in livestock farms. | bluetongue (bt) is an important disease of ruminants which exhibits its most severe clinical signs on cattle and especially on certain breeds of sheep. the known vectors of bt are small insects of the genus culicoides (diptera; ceratopogonidae). two species from this genus - culicoides imicola and culicoides obsoletus - play the major role in the transmission of the disease in europe. several prophylactic methods are used to avoid transmission; however, an easy and cost-effective preventive tech ... | 2014 | 24238622 |
| an unrecognized species of the culicoides obsoletus complex feeding on livestock in the netherlands. | in studies on culicoides attacking livestock in the netherlands, we chanced upon a species of the obsoletus complex that we do not recognize, but whose dark wing pattern is distinctive. nine cytochrome c oxidase (co1) sequences of our so-called 'dark obsoletus' support its status as a separate species, the sequences differing significantly from those representing culicoides obsoletus (meigen) (90-91% homology) and culicoides scoticus downes & kettle (87-88% homology). in the last decade, several ... | 2015 | 25583356 |
| culicoides obsoletus extract relevant for diagnostics of insect bite hypersensitivity in horses. | insect bite hypersensitivity (ibh) is an allergic dermatitis in horses caused by the bites of culicoides species. the aim of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of whole body extracts of c. obsoletus (the main species found feeding on horses in the netherlands), c. nubeculosus (rarely found in the netherlands) and c. sonorensis (typical for north america) for diagnosis of ibh in horses in the netherlands. blood and serum samples of 10 clinically confirmed ibh affected and 10 heal ... | 2012 | 22906994 |
| laboratory and field evaluations of chemical and plant-derived potential repellents against culicoides biting midges in northern spain. | the efficacy of 23 compounds in repelling culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae), particularly culicoides obsoletus (meigen) females, was determined by means of a y-tube olfactometer. the 10 most effective compounds were further evaluated in landing bioassays. the six most promising compounds (including chemical and plant-derived repellents) were evaluated at 10% and 25% concentrations in field assays using centers for disease control (cdc) light traps. at least three compounds show ... | 2014 | 25079042 |
| orientation behaviour of culicoides obsoletus (diptera: ceratopogonidae), a relevant virus vector in northern europe, toward host-associated odorant cues. | some culicoides biting midge species (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are biological virus vectors worldwide and have recently been associated with outbreaks of important epizootic diseases such as bluetongue and schmallenberg in northern europe. these diseases, which affect domestic and wild ruminants, have caused considerable economic losses. knowledge of host preferences of these biting midges - especially of the relevant vectors of arboviruses near farms, such as culicoides obsoletus in northern e ... | 2015 | 26021527 |
| molecular phylogeny of 42 species of culicoides (diptera, ceratopogonidae) from three continents. | the genus culicoides includes vectors of important animal diseases such as bluetongue and schmallenberg virus (btv and sbv). this genus includes 1300 species classified in 32 subgenera and 38 unclassified species. however, the phylogenetic relationships between different subgenera of culicoides have never been studied. phylogenetic analyses of 42 species belonging to 12 subgenera and 8 ungrouped species of genus culicoides from ecuador, france, gabon, madagascar and tunisia were carried out usin ... | 2017 | 28643630 |
| morphometric discrimination of two sympatric sibling species in the palaearctic region, culicoides obsoletus meigen and c. scoticus downes & kettle (diptera: ceratopogonidae), vectors of bluetongue and schmallenberg viruses. | some palaearctic biting midge species (subgenus avaritia) have been implicated as vectors of bluetongue virus in northern europe. separation of two species (c. obsoletus and c. scoticus) is considered difficult morphologically and, often, these female specimens are grouped in entomological studies. however, species-specific identification is desirable to understand their life history characteristics, assess their roles in disease transmission or measure their abundance during arboviral outbreaks ... | 2016 | 27146157 |
| schmallenberg virus detection in culicoides biting midges in spain: first laboratory evidence for highly efficient infection of culicoides of the obsoletus complex and culicoides imicola. | since schmallenberg disease was discovered in 2011, the disease rapidly spread across europe. culicoides biting midges have been implicated as putative schmallenberg vectors in europe. the detection of schmallenberg virus (sbv) in field collected culicoides was evaluated through retrospective (2011-2012) collections and captures performed in 2013. this study represents the first detection of sbv in field collected culicoides in spain. infectious midges were detected at the foothills of pyrenees, ... | 2017 | 28474491 |
| evidence of extensive renewed schmallenberg virus circulation in belgium during summer of 2016 - increase in arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly cases expected. | a seroprevalence study carried out between june and september 2016 in the belgian sheep population showed a significant increase in overall (from 25% to 62%) and between-herd (from 60% to 96%) seroprevalence against schmallenberg virus (sbv) during this period, indicating the most extensive recirculation of sbv since its original emergence in 2011. sbv recirculation was confirmed by the detection of sbv rna-positive culicoides obsoletus complex midges collected in the region of antwerp in august ... | 2017 | 28474485 |
| revealing potential bridge vectors for btv and sbv: a study on culicoides blood feeding preferences in natural ecosystems in spain. | several species of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are vectors of pathogens, such as the bluetongue (btv) and schmallenberg (sbv) viruses, which cause important diseases in domestic and wild ruminants. as wild ruminants can contribute to overwintering and epizootics of both diseases, knowledge of the host-feeding behaviour of culicoides in natural ecosystems is important to better understand their epidemiology. blood-engorged culicoides females trapped in natural areas inhabited by differe ... | 2017 | 28857265 |
| longitudinal analysis of allergen-specific ige and igg subclasses as potential predictors of insect bite hypersensitivity following first exposure to culicoides in icelandic horses. | insect bite hypersensitivity (ibh) is an allergic dermatitis of horses caused by bites of culicoides spp. ibh does not occur in iceland because of the absence of culicoides, but the prevalence is high in horses imported from iceland to environments where culicoides are present. | 2018 | 28980353 |
| assessment of an immunomarking technique for the study of dispersal of culicoides biting midges. | capture-mark-recapture techniques are used to determine the dispersal and survival of arthropods, including vector groups such as culicoides. an assumption of these studies is that capture and the subsequent marking process does not impact of the survival and behaviour of the marked individual. the small size of culicoides means that a significant mortality and disruption of normal behaviour such as host-location can be caused by the process of collection. here we evaluate a technique, novel to ... | 2014 | 24480050 |
| indoor and outdoor winter activity of culicoides biting midges, vectors of bluetongue virus, in italy. | indoor and outdoor winter activity of culicoides spp. (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in central italy was investigated in order to evaluate whether indoor activity might account for the overwintering of bluetongue virus, as has been hypothesized by some authors. weekly culicoides collections were performed at three farms over three consecutive winter seasons. at each farm, two black-light traps were operated simultaneously, indoors and outdoors. culicoides were identified using both morphological an ... | 2017 | 28833269 |
| sensitivity of culicoides obsoletus (meigen) (diptera: ceratopogonidae) to deltamethrin determined by an adapted who standard susceptibility test. | bluetongue is a disease of major economic concern in europe. its causative agent, bluetongue virus (btv), is transmitted by several culicoides species (mainly culicoides imicola and culicoides obsoletus in europe). the application of insecticides on animals may reduce transmission of btv, however, no formulation is currently licensed specifically against culicoides midges. the present study assesses the susceptibility of c. obsoletus to deltamethrin using an adapted world health organization (wh ... | 2014 | 24476573 |
| schmallenberg virus in culicoides latreille (diptera: ceratopogonidae) populations in france during 2011-2012 outbreak. | following the emergence of the schmallenberg virus (sbv) in 2011 in germany and its rapid spread in europe, culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) collected through the french surveillance network were analysed in order to record the presence of virus genome into species diversity collected, to assess the minimum infectious rates (mir) and the virus circulation dynamics in culicoides populations. two vector activity periods were selected (2011, august to october, 53 sites and 2012, june to octobe ... | 2017 | 28815930 |
| emergence of culicoides obsoletus group species from farm-associated habitats in germany. | biting midges of the genus culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) may transmit several arboviruses to ruminant livestock. the species of the obsoletus group are considered to be among the most important vectors of bluetongue virus (btv) in northern europe. as agricultural environments offer suitable habitats for the development of their immature stages, the emergence of adult culicoides from potential breeding sites was investigated at 20 cattle farms throughout germany in 2012 and 2013. in analy ... | 2016 | 26744290 |
| seasonal dynamics, parity rate, and composition of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) occurring in the vicinity of wild and domestic ruminants in the czech republic. | in the light of the emergence of bluetongue and schmallenberg viruses in northern and central europe, an extensive entomological survey within the framework of a bluetongue control program was undertaken from 2008 to 2013 in the czech republic to investigate culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) collected in close proximity of domestic livestock and semiwild ruminants. insects were sampled using cdc black-light suction traps placed overnight near ruminants in farms or in forest gam ... | 2016 | 26701798 |