| the use of cattle to protect sheep from bluetongue infection. | studies on the host preferences of culicoides imicola, the vector of bluetongue virus in south africa, are reviewed. there is agreement that this species prefers to feed on cattle but will also feed on other bovidae and sheep. over a seven year period cattle kept near sheep on a natal farm appear to have appreciably reduced the incidence of bluetongue in the sheep. in addition to immunization this "decoy" approach is therefore recommended to assist in the protection of stock from insect borne di ... | 1978 | 215768 |
| the use of a membrane feeding technique to determine the infection rate of culicoides imicola (diptera, ceratopogonidae) for 2 bluetongue virus serotypes in south africa. | culicoides spp. in the lowveld of the northern transvaal, republic of south africa, were fed bluetongue virus serotypes 3 and 6 and african horsesickness virus serotype 1 through latex and chicken skin membranes. after an incubation period of 10 days at 25-27 degrees c, the infection rate of c. imicola for bluetongue virus serotypes 3 and 6 was established at 31% and 24% respectively. no african horsesickness virus could be recovered. the membrane feeding technique and handling procedures proved ... | 1991 | 1646980 |
| isolation and identification of arboviruses from the sultanate of oman. | sentinel herds and a vector surveillance system were used to identify the presence of arboviruses in oman. two strains of bluetongue virus (btv) serotype 4 and two strains of akabane virus, were isolated and identified. both btv isolates and one akabane virus isolate came from goats while the second akabane isolate came from culicoides imicola. this is the first isolation of an akabane virus from culicoides in arabia. vector competence studies with the oman viruses in laboratory reared c. variip ... | 1991 | 1850363 |
| further studies on bluetongue and bluetongue-related orbiviruses in the sudan. | the seasonal incidence of bluetongue virus (btv) in central sudan is related primarily to fluctuations in the prevalence of the vector, culicoides imicola. population densities of this midge begin to rise with the onset of precipitation and peak during october, before falling sharply at the end of the rainy season in november. these are also the months of btv transmission. populations of c. schultzei, the commonest midge in central sudan, are also related to the rainy season but this species doe ... | 1990 | 2174372 |
| isolation and propagation of bluetongue virus in embryonating chicken eggs. | the incidence of bluetongue (bt) disease in sheep in israel during 1964-1982 was presented. the intravenous (iv) and the yolk-sac (ys) routes of inoculating embryonating chicken eggs (ece) for primary isolation and propagation of bt virus (btv) were compared and assessed. it was shown that the iv route of inoculation was about 100- to 1,000-fold more sensitive than the ys route; also, by the iv route, virus isolation was more rapid and assays were more clear cut. about 30% of virus isolations fr ... | 1985 | 2989868 |
| culicoides imicola: a bluetongue virus vector in spain and portugal. | | 1985 | 2990083 |
| the virtual absence of culicoides imicola (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in a light-trap survey of the colder, high-lying area of the eastern orange free state, south africa, and implications for the transmission of arboviruses. | altogether 52 078 culicoides biting midges of 35 species were collected during february 1990 and 1993 in 40 light-trap collections made on 17 cattle and/or sheep farms in the bethlehem and fouriesburg districts of the colder, high-lying eastern orange free state. culicoides (avaritia) bolitinos was by far the most abundant species, representing 50.9% of all specimens collected. culicoides (a.) imicola, considered to be the most common stock-associated species in the summer rainfall areas of sout ... | 1994 | 7501364 |
| the transmission and geographical spread of african horse sickness and bluetongue viruses. | african horse sickness virus (ahsv) and bluetongue virus (btv) are dsrna viruses within the genus orbivirus. both are able to cause non-contagious, infectious arthropod-borne diseases in their respective vertebrate hosts. ahsv infects equines and occasionally dogs, whereas btv replicates in ruminants. the disease caused by ahsv is usually at its most severe in horses, whereas certain breeds of sheep are particularly sensitive to btv infection. ahsv is endemic in sub-saharan africa but periodical ... | 1995 | 7741589 |
| molecular differentiation of the old world culicoides imicola species complex (diptera, ceratopogonidae), inferred using random amplified polymorphic dna markers. | samples of seven of the 10 morphological species of midges of the culicoides imicola complex were considered. the importance of this species complex is connected to its vectorial capacity for african horse sickness virus (ahsv) and bluetongue virus (btv). consequently, the risk of transmission may vary dramatically, depending upon the particular cryptic species present in a given area. the species complex is confined to the old world and our samples were collected in southern africa, madagascar ... | 2001 | 11472544 |
| using climate data to map the potential distribution of culicoides imicola (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in europe. | culicoides imicola, a vector of bluetongue virus and african horse sickness virus, is principally afro-asian in distribution, but has recently been found in parts of europe. a logistic regression model based on climate data (temperature, saturation deficit, rainfall and altitude) and the published distribution of c. imicola in iberia was developed and then applied to other countries in europe, to identify locations where c. imicola could become established. the model identified three temperature ... | 2001 | 11732415 |
| spatial distribution of culicoides species in portugal in relation to the transmission of african horse sickness and bluetongue viruses. | surveillance of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) biting midge vectors was carried out at 87 sites within a 50 x 50 km grid distributed across portugal, using light trap collections at the time of peak midge abundance. culicoides imicola (kieffer) made up 66% of the 55 937 culicoides in these summer collections. it was highly abundant in the central eastern portion of portugal, between 37 degrees 5' n and 41 degrees 5' n, and in a band across to the lisbon peninsula (at around 38 degrees 5' ... | 2003 | 12823834 |
| identification of a novel bluetongue virus vector species of culicoides in sicily. | the vectors of bluetongue virus are certain species of culicoides biting midges, and in the mediterranean area culicoides imicola has long been considered to be the only field vector. in sicily an entomological and serological surveillance programme has been in operation since the autumn of 2000, which has shown that the prevalence and abundance of c. imicola is lower than in many other italian regions. moreover, in 2002, there were outbreaks of bluetongue in the absence of c. imicola, and in th ... | 2003 | 12892265 |
| prediction of bluetongue vector distribution in europe and north africa using satellite imagery. | bluetongue is an infectious, non-contagious arboviral disease thought to infect all known ruminant species. since 1998, an unprecedented epizootic of the disease has occurred in the mediterranean region, resulting in the deaths of over 800,000 sheep to date. bluetongue virus (btv) is transmitted by biting midges of which one species, culicoides imicola, is the major vector in the old world. c. imicola was trapped for 2 years at 87 sites across portugal and models were developed for predicting th ... | 2003 | 14637035 |
| geographical and seasonal distribution of the bluetongue virus vector, culicoides imicola, in central italy. | following the first incursion of bluetongue virus (btv) into italy, the geographical and seasonal distribution of the biting midge culicoides imicola kieffer (diptera: ceratopogonidae), the main vector of btv and african horse sickness virus, was investigated in two regions of central italy (lazio and tuscany). surveillance of culicoides was carried out between july 2001 and december 2002 using light traps: 1917 collections were made in 381 trap sites, well distributed across both regions. durin ... | 2003 | 14651652 |
| [risk assessment of bluetongue disease incursion into germany using geographic information system (gis)]. | using a geographic information system (gis), by analysis of the relationship between the spatial distribution of cattle density and the risk factors temperature, altitude and rainfall, we defined geographical habitats enabling optimal development and competence of culicoides spp. to transmit bluetongue-virus (btv): risk zones (low, high, highest risk) were identified mainly in baden-württemberg, hessen and rheinland-pfalz if persistently infected ruminants are imported into these zones in summer ... | 2004 | 15188681 |
| spatial distribution of bluetongue virus and its culicoides vectors in sicily. | during the recent mediterranean epizootic of bluetongue, an extensive programme of serological and vector (culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae)) surveillance was carried out across sicily. this paper presents the analysis of 911 light trap catches collected at the times of peak culicoides abundance (summer to autumn 2000-2002) in 269 sites, in order to produce detailed maps of the spatial distribution of the main european vector, culicoides imicola kieffer and that of potential no ... | 2004 | 15189232 |
| modelling the distributions of culicoides bluetongue virus vectors in sicily in relation to satellite-derived climate variables. | surveillance data from 268 sites in sicily are used to develop climatic models for prediction of the distribution of the main european bluetongue virus (btv) vector culicoides imicola kieffer (diptera: ceratopogonidae) and of potential novel vectors, culicoides pulicaris linnaeus, culicoides obsoletus group meigen and culicoides newsteadi austen. the models containing the 'best' climatic predictors of distribution for each species, were selected from combinations of 40 temporally fourier-process ... | 2004 | 15189233 |
| climate change and the recent emergence of bluetongue in europe. | bluetongue, a devastating disease of ruminants, has historically made only brief, sporadic incursions into the fringes of europe. however, since 1998, six strains of bluetongue virus have spread across 12 countries and 800 km further north in europe than has previously been reported. we suggest that this spread has been driven by recent changes in european climate that have allowed increased virus persistence during winter, the northward expansion of culicoides imicola, the main bluetongue virus ... | 2005 | 15685226 |
| identification of culicoides obsoletus (diptera: ceratopogonidae) as a vector of bluetongue virus in central italy. | in 2001 and 2002, 235 outbreaks of bluetongue were observed in the lazio and tuscany regions of central italy. during entomological surveillance culicoides imicola, the main vector of bluetongue virus in the mediterranean region, was detected in only 14 of 28 municipalities affected by outbreaks; culicoides obsoletus was the most abundant species, contributing 83 per cent of individuals in catches, whereas c. imicola contributed only 2 per cent. in affected municipalities the maximum catch of c. ... | 2005 | 15786918 |
| expansion of culicoides imicola, the main bluetongue virus vector in europe, into catalonia, spain. | | 2005 | 15816196 |
| an alternative method of blood-feeding culicoides imicola and other haematophagous culicoides species for vector competence studies. | the use of cotton wool pads saturated with blood/virus mixture for oral infection attempts was compared to membrane feeding for the assessment of vector competence in c. imicola kieffer and c. bolitinos meiswinkel (diptera, ceratopogonidae). although lower infection rates were obtained using pad feeding, it was possible to clearly distinguish the levels of competence between species as well as differences in virus infection rates for various serotypes of bluetongue virus. reduced infection rates ... | 2005 | 15964690 |
| bluetongue virus isolations from midges belonging to the obsoletus complex (culicoides, diptera: ceratopogonidae) in italy. | between july and september 2002 there were outbreaks of bluetongue on three sheep holdings in the communities of san gregorio magno (salerno, campania), laviano (salerno, campania) and carpino (foggia, puglia), and the involvement of bluetongue virus (btv) was confirmed serologically and virologically. the mortality rate was at least 11 per cent and involved btv serotype 2 (btv-2) and serotype 9 (btv-9). these holdings were also surveyed for the culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) vectors; app ... | 2005 | 16055660 |
| spatial distribution of culicoides imicola, the main vector of bluetongue virus, in spain. | | 2006 | 16443839 |
| oral susceptibility to bluetongue virus of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) from the united kingdom. | oral susceptibility to infection with bluetongue virus (family resviridae, genus orbivirus, btv) serotype 9 was characterized in three palaearctic species of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae). variation in susceptibility to infection by using a recently described feeding technique was shown to occur between populations of culicoides obsoletus meigen complex midges from different geographic regions of the united kingdom with virus infection rates varying from 0.4 to 7.4% of those tested. susc ... | 2006 | 16506450 |
| distribution and abundance of bluetongue vectors in sardinia: comparison of field data with prediction maps. | following the spread of bluetongue virus (btv) in many mediterranean countries during the last 5 years, presence of the main btv vector, culicoides imicola kieffer (diptera: ceratopogonidae), was recorded in the region, including the island of sardinia where the first bt epidemic originally started in the year 2000. several models were also designed based on climate variables and satellite imaging in order to predict the presence and abundance of btv vectors across europe. a 3 years entomologica ... | 2006 | 16930274 |
| spatial and temporal distribution of bluetongue and its culicoides vectors in bulgaria. | surveillance of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) biting midges was carried out between 2001 and 2003, at 119 sites within a 50 x 50-km grid distributed across bulgaria, using light trap collections around the time of peak adult midge abundance. sentinel and ad hoc serum surveillance of hosts susceptible to bluetongue infection was carried out at around 300 sites between 1999 and 2003. following the initial incursion of bluetongue virus 9 (btv-9) into bourgas province in 1999, affecting 85 v ... | 2006 | 17044886 |
| establishment of an early warning system against bluetongue virus in switzerland. | bluetongue (bt) is a vector-borne animal disease of economical importance due to the international trade restrictions likely to be put into place in a country once the infection is discovered. the presence of bt and its vectors in countries adjacent to switzerland stresses the need of implementing a surveillance system and to raise disease awareness among potential stakeholders. a national survey in switzerland 2003 indicated freedom of bluetongue virus (btv), although a single individual of the ... | 2006 | 17209508 |
| influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the distribution and abundance of culicoides imicola and the obsoletus complex in italy. | culicoides imicola kieffer (culicoides, diptera: ceratopogonidae) is the principal vector of bluetongue virus (btv) to ruminant livestock in southern europe. the secondary potential vectors are culicoides obsoletus (meigen) and culicoides scoticus downes and kettle of the obsoletus complex, culicoides pulicaris (linnaeus) of the pulicaris complex and culicoides dewulfi goetghebuer of the subgenus avaritia fox. between 2000 and 2004 >38,000 light-trap collections were made for culicoides across i ... | 2007 | 17997043 |
| modelling the distributions and spatial coincidence of bluetongue vectors culicoides imicola and the culicoides obsoletus group throughout the iberian peninsula. | data obtained by a spanish national surveillance programme in 2005 were used to develop climatic models for predictions of the distribution of the bluetongue virus (btv) vectors culicoides imicola kieffer (diptera: ceratopogonidae) and the culicoides obsoletus group meigen throughout the iberian peninsula. models were generated using logistic regression to predict the probability of species occurrence at an 8-km spatial resolution. predictor variables included the annual mean values and seasonal ... | 2008 | 18498611 |
| first record of culicoides imicola, the main vector of bluetongue virus in europe, in the basque country (northern spain). | | 2008 | 18567930 |
| bluetongue in europe and the mediterranean basin: history of occurrence prior to 2006. | bluetongue virus (btv) exists around the world in a broad band covering much of the americas, africa, southern asia and northern australia. historically, it also occasionally occurred in the southern fringes of europe. it is considered to be one of the most important diseases of domestic livestock. recently btv has extended its range northwards into areas of europe never before affected and has persisted in many of these locations causing the greatest epizootic of bluetongue (bt), the disease ca ... | 2008 | 18619694 |
| occurrence of culicoides spp. (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in tunisia, with emphasis on the bluetongue vector culicoides imicola. | following the bluetongue (bt) outbreaks in tunisia from 1999 to 2002, btv (bluetongue virus) serotype 2 was isolated; however, no entomological investigation was performed. in the study presented here, we assessed the culicoides species populations (particularly c. imicola) in proximity to the bt outbreaks locations, both as a retrospective analysis and to update the list of culicoides species present in tunisia. the insects were caught using light traps and the species identification was perfor ... | 2008 | 18642513 |
| ecological correlates of bluetongue virus in spain: predicted spatial occurrence and its relationship with the observed abundance of the potential culicoides spp. vector. | using data from bluetongue (bt) outbreaks caused by viral serotype 4 (btv-4) in spain during 2004-2005, a predictive model for btv-4 occurrence in peninsular spain was developed. an autologistic regression model was employed to estimate the relationships between btv-4 presence and bioclimatic-related and host-availability-related variables. in addition, the observed abundances of the main potential culicoides vectors during 2004-2005, namely culicoides imicola, culicoides obsoletus group, and sp ... | 2009 | 18667341 |
| bluetongue: vector surveillance in austria in 2007. | since the first outbreaks of bluetongue disease (btd) were reported from the netherlands, germany, and belgium in autumn of 2006, the disease is a main topic in central europe. the infectious disease, which originated in south africa and from which austria has been spared up to now, affects particularly sheep, cattle, also goats and wild ruminants - but never humans. transmitters of the bluetongue virus (btv, family reoviridae, genus orbivirus), which occurs in several 24 serotypes, are biting m ... | 2008 | 19066770 |
| bluetongue disease in germany (2007-2008): monitoring of entomological aspects. | in the summer of 2006, a bluetongue epidemic started in the border area of belgium, the netherlands, and germany, spread within 2 years over large areas of western and central europe, and caused substantial losses in farm ruminants. especially sheep and cattle were severely affected, leading to a case-fatality ratio of nearly 40% in sheep (conraths et al., emerg inf dis 15(3):433-435, 2009). the german federal ministry of food, agriculture, and consumer protection (bmelv) established a countrywi ... | 2009 | 19322587 |
| entomological survey on vectors of bluetongue virus in northrhine-westfalia (germany) during 2007 and 2008. | the entomological monitoring programs done on 19 farms all over northrhine-westfalia (germany) in the years 2007 and 2008 showed that the species culicoides obsoletus and c. pulicaris are the most common ones and that both act as vectors of the bluetongue-virus of the serotype 8. especially the species c. obsoletus was found all over the year and also inside or close to stables during the winter months. therefore, there exists no midge-free period that would interrupt the transmission cycle of b ... | 2009 | 19330354 |
| north africa: a regional overview of bluetongue virus, vectors, surveillance and unique features. | bluetongue virus serotype 2 (btv-2) appeared in north africa in december 1999 and caused a total of 14 775 clinical cases and 1 286 deaths in sheep. this arthropod-borne viral disease was first reported by the tunisian veterinary services in 1999 followed by the algerian authorities in 2000 and has been described in adult sheep only. the overall morbidity and mortality rates were 9% and 3.5%, respectively. following the initial incursion of btv-2 in december 1999, tunisia reported an epidemic in ... | 2004 | 20419633 |
| the current situation of bluetongue in turkey. | the first reported outbreak of bluetongue (bt) was in 1977 in the aydin province in the west of the country. disease spread between 1977 and 1979 and became endemic in the provinces bordering the aegean and mediterranean seas. the causative agent was isolated in samples from sheep and calves and was identified as bluetongue virus (btv) serotype 4. epidemiological investigations showed that not only sheep, but also goats and cattle, were involved in these outbreaks. the vector was culicoides imic ... | 2004 | 20419651 |
| bluetongue virus surveillance in a newly infected area. | the occurrence of bluetongue virus (btv) in areas in which intensive animal production is practised and where there is extensive movement of animals may have a substantial impact on both animal trade and husbandry. this situation occurred in italy after the detection of bluetongue (bt) in august 2000. in such situations, surveillance can be used to delineate with precision those areas in which the virus is circulating and, consequently, to enforce the appropriate animal movement restrictions. fu ... | 2004 | 20419661 |
| culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in albania: results of the 2002 entomological survey for bluetongue. | a survey for culicoides latreille, 1809, was made in albania in 2002 to establish whether culicoides imicola kieffer, 1913, the main vector of bluetongue virus in the mediterranean basin, or any other suspected vector species, was present. the collections and analyses were performed in accordance with the protocols of the national reference centre for exotic diseases (cesme: centro studi malattie esotiche) in teramo, italy. a total of 43 catches were made in october and november in 15 districts ... | 2004 | 20419665 |
| culicoides imicola in greece. | culicoides imicola, the major vector of bluetongue virus in africa and the middle east, was recorded in greece for the first time in 1982 following an outbreak of the disease on the island of lesbos (october 1979). since then, many hundreds of culicoides trappings have been made and thousands of culicoides have been collected from the islands and from mainland greece. culicoides imicola is now present on most of the eastern aegean islands and in northern, central and south-eastern mainland greec ... | 2004 | 20419670 |
| entomological surveillance for bluetongue on malta: first report of culicoides imicola kieffer. | a survey for culicoides latreille, 1809, was made on malta in 2002 to establish whether culicoides imicola kieffer, 1913, the principal vector of bluetongue virus (btv) in the mediterranean basin, or any other suspected vector species, was present. the collections and analyses were performed in accordance with the protocols of the national reference centre for exotic diseases (cesme centro studi malattie esotiche) in teramo, italy. eighty-four catches were made between may and october at six per ... | 2004 | 20419678 |
| modelling the distribution of outbreaks and culicoides vectors in sicily: towards predictive risk maps for italy. | vector (911 light-trap catches from 269 sites) and serological surveillance data were obtained during recent bluetongue (bt) outbreaks in sicily. the distributions of culicoides vectors are compared with that of bluetongue virus (btv) to determine the relative role of different vectors in btv transmission in sicily. the 'best' climatic predictors of distribution for each vector species were selected from 40 remotely-sensed variables and altitude at a 1 km spatial resolution using discriminant an ... | 2004 | 20419683 |
| ovine catarrhal fever (bluetongue): analysis of culicoides species in seropositive farms. | bluetongue (bt) is an orbiviral disease of wild and domestic ruminants, mainly sheep. in sicily, the first bluetongue outbreak occurred in october 2000; there have been 76 recorded outbreaks so far. the national surveillance plan, based on european union commission decision 138/2001/ce, establishes serological and entomological surveys. this plan consists of controls of seronegative cattle, called 'sentry' as indicators for the presence and circulation of virus in defined areas. to check the ser ... | 2010 | 20537094 |
| protection of livestock against bluetongue virus vector culicoides imicola using insecticide-treated netting in open areas. | the protection of livestock against culicoides species (diptera: ceratopogonidae) using physical barriers or chemically treated barriers is difficult owing to the small size of these biting midges and animal welfare concerns associated with the reduction of air flow. culicoides imicola kieffer is the main bluetongue virus vector in the mediterranean basin, including the southern iberian peninsula, where livestock is mainly housed in open pens or sheds which offer no physical protection against c ... | 2010 | 20604862 |
| larval habitats and seasonal abundance of culicoides biting midges found in association with sheep in northern sardinia, italy. | between january 2005 and december 2006, the larval habitats and seasonal abundances of 21 species of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) found in association with livestock on a farm in northern sardinia were studied. culicoides were collected using two light traps (one placed in a sheep shed and the other near water ponds) and reared from mud collected in and along the margins of a small and a large water pond. the mammalophilic culicoides imicola kieffer and culicoides newsteadi austen were ... | 2010 | 20604864 |
| the susceptibility of culicoides imicola and other south african livestock-associated culicoides species to infection with bluetongue virus serotype 8. | in 2006, a strain of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (btv-8) of sub-saharan origin was responsible for the first outbreaks in recorded history of clinical bluetongue disease (bt) in northern europe. in this study, we examine the oral susceptibility of culicoides (avaritia) imicola kieffer (diptera: ceratopogonidae) and other livestock-associated culicoides species from southern africa to infection with several strains of btv-8. following feeding using an artificial membrane-based method and incubati ... | 2010 | 21133962 |
| laboratory and field-based tests of deltamethrin insecticides against adult culicoides biting midges. | bluetongue virus (btv) is an economically important arbovirus of ruminants transmitted by culicoides biting midges. vector control using residual spraying or application to livestock is recommended by many authorities to reduce btv transmission; however, the impact of these measures in terms of both inflicting mortality on culicoides and subsequently upon btv transmission is unclear. this study consisted of a standardized world health organization laboratory assay to determine the susceptibility ... | 2011 | 21485373 |
| Recovery rates of bluetongue virus serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8 Spanish strains from orally infected Culicoides imicola in South Africa. | Bluetongue (BT) is an infectious disease of ruminants that has spread northwards in Europe during the last decade. The aetiological agent of the disease is an arbovirus [bluetongue virus (BTV)] that belongs to the genus Orbivirus (family Reoviridae). The virus is transmitted by certain species of biting midge within the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Information on the vector status of the Culicoides species in a specific area will be essential to predict the risk for BTV incursion ... | 2011 | 22077485 |
| phenology and attraction of potential culicoides vectors of bluetongue virus in basque country (northern spain). | bluetongue virus is transmitted by culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae). culicoides associated with livestock were captured using cdc blacklight traps at three btv-infected farms in basque country between november 2007 and december 2008. twenty-seven and nineteen culicoides species were collected in outdoor and indoor habitats respectively. indoor insect community represented 86.1% of the whole captured individual biting midges. culicoides obsoletus/culicoides scoticus (two siblin ... | 2011 | 22137350 |
| first detection of leishmania infantum (kinetoplastida: trypanosomatidae) in culicoides spp. (diptera: ceratopogonidae). | culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) species are known to be the vectors of bluetongue virus and african horses sickness virus (ahsv) in different areas of the world. nevertheless, other researchers have hypothesized that these arthropods could be involved in the transmission of other pathogens such as schmallenberg virus, plasmodium and leishmania parasites. identification of the culicoides' potential vector competence is crucial in understanding the worldwide culicoides/leishmania life cycle. | 2014 | 24460752 |
| seasonal dynamics of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) biting midges, potential vectors of african horse sickness and bluetongue viruses in the niayes area of senegal. | the african horse sickness epizootic in senegal in 2007 caused considerable mortality in the equine population and hence major economic losses. the vectors involved in the transmission of this arbovirus have never been studied specifically in senegal. this first study of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) species, potential vectors of african horse sickness in senegal, was conducted at five sites (mbao, parc hann, niague, pout and thies) in the niayes ... | 2014 | 24690198 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| bluetongue virus serotype 1 outbreak in the basque country (northern spain) 2007-2008. data support a primary vector windborne transport. | bluetongue (bt) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants that has expanded its traditional global distribution in the last decade. recently, btv-1 emerged in southern spain and caused several outbreaks in livestock reaching the north of the country. the aim of this paper was to review the emergence of btv-1 in the basque country (northern spain) during 2007 and 2008 analyzing the possibility that infected culicoides were introduced into basque country by winds from the infected areas of southern s ... | 2012 | 22479628 |
| delineation of the population genetic structure of culicoides imicola in east and south africa. | culicoides imicola kieffer, 1913 is the main vector of bluetongue virus (btv) and african horse sickness virus (ahsv) in sub-saharan africa. understanding the population genetic structure of this midge and the nature of barriers to gene flow will lead to a deeper understanding of bluetongue epidemiology and more effective vector control in this region. | 2015 | 26704134 |
| spatial and temporal distribution of culicoides species in mainland portugal (2005-2010). results of the portuguese entomological surveillance programme. | bluetongue virus (btv) is transmitted by culicoides biting midges and causes an infectious, non-contagious disease of ruminants. it has been rapidly emerging in southern europe since 1998. in mainland portugal, strains of btv belonging to three serotypes have been detected: btv-10 (1956-1960), btv-4 (2004-2006 and 2013) and btv-1 (2007-2012). this paper describes the design, implementation and results of the entomological surveillance programme covering mainland portugal, between 2005 and 2010, ... | 2015 | 25906151 |
| orbivirus detection from culicoides collected on african horse sickness outbreaks in namibia. | african horse sickness (ahs), a non-contagious infectious disease caused by a rna virus in the orbivirus genus within the reoviridae family affecting all equids, is endemic in sub-saharan africa. the virus is transmitted by some species of biting midges in the genus culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae). in april 2011, 8 culicoides collections were performed in 6 districts of 4 regions of the republic of namibia (africa), all within a 400 km radious from the capital windhoek. six farms - khomas ... | 2015 | 25842209 |
| 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 |
| effects of climate change on the occurrence and distribution of livestock diseases. | the planet's mean air and ocean temperatures have been rising over the last century because of increasing greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions. these changes have substantial effects on the epidemiology of infectious diseases. we describe direct and indirect processes linking climate change and infectious diseases in livestock with reference to specific case studies. some of the studies are used to show a positive association between temperature and expansion of the geographical ranges of arthropod ve ... | 2017 | 28040271 |
| 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 |
| culicoides spp. (diptera: ceratopogonidae) as vectors of bluetongue virus in south africa - a review. | the aim of this paper is to consolidate vector competence studies on culicoides midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) as vectors of bluetongue virus (btv) done over a period 25 years at the arc‑onderstepoort veterinary institute in south africa. in 1944, it was demonstrated for the first time in south africa that culicoides midges transmit btv. in 1991, field‑collected culicoides imicola were fed on blood containing btv‑3 or ‑6 and the infection rates were established as being 31% and 24%, respectiv ... | 2016 | 26741247 |
| the occurrence of culicoides species, the vectors of arboviruses, at selected trap sites in zimbabwe. | a study of the distribution of culicoides species was conducted by establishing 12 light trap sites over five rainy seasons between 1998 and 2003 covering all the geo-climatic natural regions of zimbabwe. in total, 279 919 specimens of culicoides were trapped over a total of 163 trapping nights. the highest median counts of culicoides per trapping night were recorded in natural region iii, which has climatic conditions conducive to the successful development of the larvae. culicoides imicola, th ... | 2015 | 26244678 |
| vector species of culicoides midges implicated in the 2012‑2014 bluetongue epidemics in italy. | in 2012, serotypes 1 and 4 of bluetongue virus (btv) entered and co‑circulated in sardinia. the following year, btv‑1 spread all over sardinia and invaded sicily and the italian tyrrenian coast. in 2014, this strain spread extensively in mainland italy, causing severe outbreaks. in late 2014, btv‑4 was detected in southern italy (apulia region). this study reports the detection of btv in species of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) collected in italy during the epidemics between 2012 and 201 ... | 2015 | 26129664 |
| host preferences and circadian rhythm of culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae), vectors of african horse sickness and bluetongue viruses in senegal. | african horse sickness- and bluetongue virus are orbiviruses transmitted by culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) to horses and to ruminants, respectively. since the last epizootic outbreak of african horse sickness in 2007 in senegal, extensive investigations have been undertaken to improve our knowledge on culicoides species involved locally in the transmission of the virus. the purpose of this study was to compare and quantify the host preferences of potential vectors of these o ... | 2015 | 26099680 |
| the occurrence of <i>culicoides</i> species, the vectors of arboviruses, at selected trap sites in zimbabwe. | a study of the distribution of culicoides species was conducted by establishing 12 light trap sites over five rainy seasons between 1998 and 2003 covering all the geo-climatic natural regions of zimbabwe. in total, 279 919 specimens of culicoides were trapped over a total of 163 trapping nights. the highest median counts of culicoides per trapping night were recorded in natural region iii, which has climatic conditions conducive to the successful development of the larvae. culicoides imicola, th ... | 2015 | 28235258 |
| spatial-temporal trends and factors associated with the bluetongue virus seropositivity in large game hunting areas from southern spain. | an epidemiological study was carried out to determine the spatial-temporal trends and risk factors potentially involved in the seropositivity to bluetongue virus (btv) in hunting areas with presence of red deer (cervus elaphus). a total of 60 of 98 (61.2%; ci95% : 51.6-70.9) hunting areas sampled presented at least one seropositive red deer. antibodies against btv were detected in juvenile animals during the hunting seasons 2007/2008 to 2013/2014 in 15 of 98 (15.3%) hunting areas, which indicate ... | 2016 | 25482024 |
| 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 |
| climate change and the spread of vector-borne diseases: using approximate bayesian computation to compare invasion scenarios for the bluetongue virus vector culicoides imicola in italy. | bluetongue (bt) is a commonly cited example of a disease with a distribution believed to have recently expanded in response to global warming. the bt virus is transmitted to ruminants by biting midges of the genus culicoides, and it has been hypothesized that the emergence of bt in mediterranean europe during the last two decades is a consequence of the recent colonization of the region by culicoides imicola and linked to climate change. to better understand the mechanism responsible for the nor ... | 2013 | 23496796 |
| 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 |
| new species of the genus culicoides (diptera ceratopogonidae) for tunisia, with detection of bluetongue viruses in vectors. | bluetongue virus (btv) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (ehdv) are double-stranded rna orbiviruses of the reoviridae family. bluetongue virus and ehdv infect domestic and wild ruminants and they are transmitted by biting midges of the genus culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae). since 1999, btv outbreaks have occurred in tunisia and 4 serotypes, btv2, btv1, btv4 and btv3, were involved in 2000, 2006, 2009, and 2016, respectively. epizootic haemorrhagic disease was detected for the rst ti ... | 2017 | 29307131 |
| spatial and temporal variation in the abundance of culicoides biting midges (diptera: ceratopogonidae) in nine european countries. | biting midges of the genus culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are vectors of bluetongue virus (btv), african horse sickness virus and schmallenberg virus (sbv). outbreaks of both btv and sbv have affected large parts of europe. the spread of these diseases depends largely on vector distribution and abundance. the aim of this analysis was to identify and quantify major spatial patterns and temporal trends in the distribution and seasonal variation of observed culicoides abundance in nine count ... | 2018 | 29482593 |
| geo-statistical analysis of culicoides spp. distribution and abundance in sicily, italy. | biting midges belonging to culicoides imicola, culicoides obsoletus complex and culicoides pulicaris complex (diptera: ceratopogonidae) are increasingly implicated as vectors of bluetongue virus in palaearctic regions. culicoides obsoletus complex includes c. obsoletus (sensu stricto), c. scoticus, c. dewulfi and c. chiopterus. culicoides pulicaris and c. lupicaris belong to the culicoides pulicaris complex. the aim of this study was a geo-statistical analysis of the abundance and spatial distri ... | 2018 | 29391056 |
| environmental drivers of adult seasonality and abundance of biting midges culicoides (diptera: ceratopogonidae), bluetongue vector species in spain. | bluetongue is a viral disease affecting wild and domestic ruminants transmitted by several species of biting midges culicoides latreille. the phenology of these insects were analyzed in relation to potential environmental drivers. data from 329 sites in spain were analyzed using bayesian generalized linear mixed model (glmm) approaches. the effects of environmental factors on adult female seasonality were contrasted. obsoletus complex species (diptera: ceratopogonidae) were the most prevalent ac ... | 2020 | 32885822 |
| a model for the assessment of bluetongue virus serotype 1 persistence in spain. | bluetongue virus (btv) is an arbovirus of ruminants that has been circulating in europe continuously for more than two decades and has become endemic in some countries such as spain. spain is ideal for btv epidemiological studies since btv outbreaks from different sources and serotypes have occurred continuously there since 2000; btv-1 has been reported there from 2007 to 2017. here we develop a model for btv-1 endemic scenario to estimate the risk of an area becoming endemic, as well as to iden ... | 2020 | 32353863 |
| vector competence of italian populations of culicoides for some bluetongue virus strains responsible for recent northern african and european outbreaks. | the distribution of bluetongue virus (btv) in europe can be represented by two distinct and interconnected epidemiological systems (episystems), each characterized by different ecological characteristics and vector species. this study investigated the vector competence of italian populations of culicoides imicola and culicoides obsoletus/scoticus to some representative btv strains after artificial oral infection. the btv strains were selected according to their ability to spread to one or both e ... | 2019 | 31614799 |
| bluetongue virus detection in new culicoides species in sardinia, italy. | bluetongue is an infectious disease transmitted by culicoides biting midges. culicoides imicola is considered the main vector in the mediterranean basin but other species have been implicated in the bluetongue virus (btv) transmission. during 2017, btv serotype 4 re-occurred in sardinia causing outbreaks in sheep farms. a survey was carried out on affected farms with the aim to detect the virus in field-collected culicoides biting midges were morphologically identified, pooled and then assayed w ... | 2019 | 30846613 |