Academic literature on the topic 'Insects, vectors, virus diseases'
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Journal articles on the topic "Insects, vectors, virus diseases"
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Wu, Xiujuan, and Jian Ye. "Manipulation of Jasmonate Signaling by Plant Viruses and Their Insect Vectors." Viruses 12, no. 2 (January 27, 2020): 148. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v12020148.
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Plant viruses pose serious threats to stable crop yield. The majority of them are transmitted by insects, which cause secondary damage to the plant host from the herbivore-vector’s infestation. What is worse, a successful plant virus evolves multiple strategies to manipulate host defenses to promote the population of the insect vector and thereby furthers the disease pandemic. Jasmonate (JA) and its derivatives (JAs) are lipid-based phytohormones with similar structures to animal prostaglandins, conferring plant defenses against various biotic and abiotic challenges, especially pathogens and herbivores. For survival, plant viruses and herbivores have evolved strategies to convergently target JA signaling. Here, we review the roles of JA signaling in the tripartite interactions among plant, virus, and insect vectors, with a focus on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms that drive vector-borne plant viral diseases. This knowledge is essential for the further design and development of effective strategies to protect viral damages, thereby increasing crop yield and food security.
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Zongoma, A. M., D. B. Dangora, M. Sétamou, M. D. Alegbejo, and O. J. Alabi. "Identification of mealybugs, soft scale insects and their predators in vineyards across the savannah agro-ecological region of Nigeria." Zoologist (The) 18, no. 1 (April 8, 2021): 27–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v18i1.5.
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Insect-vectored viruses are a major threat to grapevine production but there is a dearth of information on the occurrence and distribution of key grapevine pests in Nigeria. The recent detection of grapevine leafroll associated virus-1 (GLRaV-1), a known insect-vectored ampelovirus, in Nigeria elevates the importance of the identification of its potential vectors as a precursor to assessing the risk of grapevine leafroll disease spread. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and diversity of potential vectors of grapevine viruses and their natural enemies in vineyards across the savannah agro-ecological region of Nigeria. Forty vineyard and nursery locations were surveyed during 2016 and 45 arthropod samples were collected. The samples were first morphologically identified, and DNA barcoding was conducted on a subset of 16 representative samples using universal primers specific to the Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene of most insects. The results indicated the presence of two species of scale insects (Parasaissetia nigra and Saissetia coffeae) and two mealybug species (Maconellicoccus hirsutus and Ferrisia virgata), some ofwhich are potential grapevine virus vectors, in Nigerian vineyards. In addition, the natural enemies of these insect species were detected which includes three species of parasitoids (Anagyrus kamali, Anagyrus pseudococci and Encarsia inaron) and one predator (Hyperaspidius mimus). While the detection of mealybugs and scale insects underscore the risk of vector-mediated virus spread in Nigerian vineyards, the identification of their natural enemies indicates presence of natural biological control agents to facilitate an integrated management of economically important grapevine virus diseases in the country.
Keywords: Mealybugs; scale insects; parasitoids and predators; insect vectors; grapevine viruses.
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Madden, L. V., M. J. Jeger, and F. van den Bosch. "A Theoretical Assessment of the Effects of Vector-Virus Transmission Mechanism on Plant Virus Disease Epidemics." Phytopathology® 90, no. 6 (June 2000): 576–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/phyto.2000.90.6.576.
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A continuous-time and deterministic model was used to characterize plant virus disease epidemics in relation to virus transmission mechanism and population dynamics of the insect vectors. The model can be written as a set of linked differential equations for healthy (virus-free), latently infected, infectious, and removed (postinfectious) plant categories, and virus-free, latent, and infective insects, with parameters based on the transmission classes, vector population dynamics, immigration/emigration rates, and virus-plant interactions. The rate of change in diseased plants is a function of the density of infective insects, the number of plants visited per time, and the probability of transmitting the virus per plant visit. The rate of change in infective insects is a function of the density of infectious plants, the number of plants visited per time by an insect, and the probability of acquiring the virus per plant visit. Numerical solutions of the differential equations were used to determine transitional and steady-state levels of disease incidence (d*); d* was also determined directly from the model parameters. Clear differences were found in disease development among the four transmission classes: nonpersistently transmitted (stylet-borne [NP]); semipersistently transmitted (foregut-borne [SP]); circulative, persistently transmitted (CP); and propagative, persistently transmitted (PP), with the highest disease incidence (d) for the SP and CP classes relative to the others, especially at low insect density when there was no insect migration or when the vector status of emigrating insects was the same as that of immigrating ones. The PP and CP viruses were most affected by changes in vector longevity, rates of acquisition, and inoculation of the virus by vectors, whereas the PP viruses were least affected by changes in insect mobility. When vector migration was explicitly considered, results depended on the fraction of infective insects in the immigration pool and the fraction of dying and emigrating vectors replaced by immigrants. The PP and CP viruses were most sensitive to changes in these factors. Based on model parameters, the basic reproductive number (R0)—number of new infected plants resulting, from an infected plant introduced into a susceptible plant population—was derived for some circumstances and used to determine the steady-state level of disease incidence and an approximate exponential rate of disease increase early in the epidemic. Results can be used to evaluate disease management strategies.
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Mubarik, Muhammad Salman, Sultan Habibullah Khan, Aftab Ahmad, Ali Raza, Zulqurnain Khan, Muhammad Sajjad, Reda Helmy Ahmed Sammour, et al. "Controlling Geminiviruses before Transmission: Prospects." Plants 9, no. 11 (November 12, 2020): 1556. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants9111556.
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Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)-transmitted Geminiviruses cause serious diseases of crop plants in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Plants, animals, and their microbial symbionts have evolved complex ways to interact with each other that impact their life cycles. Blocking virus transmission by altering the biology of vector species, such as the whitefly, can be a potential approach to manage these devastating diseases. Virus transmission by insect vectors to plant hosts often involves bacterial endosymbionts. Molecular chaperonins of bacterial endosymbionts bind with virus particles and have a key role in the transmission of Geminiviruses. Hence, devising new approaches to obstruct virus transmission by manipulating bacterial endosymbionts before infection opens new avenues for viral disease control. The exploitation of bacterial endosymbiont within the insect vector would disrupt interactions among viruses, insects, and their bacterial endosymbionts. The study of this cooperating web could potentially decrease virus transmission and possibly represent an effective solution to control viral diseases in crop plants.
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Di Mattia, Jérémy, Faustine Ryckebusch, Marie-Stéphanie Vernerey, Elodie Pirolles, Nicolas Sauvion, Michel Peterschmitt, Jean-Louis Zeddam, and Stéphane Blanc. "Co-Acquired Nanovirus and Geminivirus Exhibit a Contrasted Localization within Their Common Aphid Vector." Viruses 12, no. 3 (March 10, 2020): 299. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v12030299.
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Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) plant viruses belong to the families Geminiviridae and Nanoviridae. They are transmitted by Hemipteran insects in a circulative, mostly non-propagative, manner. While geminiviruses are transmitted by leafhoppers, treehoppers, whiteflies and aphids, nanoviruses are transmitted exclusively by aphids. Circulative transmission involves complex virus–vector interactions in which epithelial cells have to be crossed and defense mechanisms counteracted. Vector taxa are considered a relevant taxonomic criterion for virus classification, indicating that viruses can evolve specific interactions with their vectors. Thus, we predicted that, although nanoviruses and geminiviruses represent related viral families, they have evolved distinct interactions with their vector. This prediction is also supported by the non-structural Nuclear Shuttle Protein (NSP) that is involved in vector transmission in nanoviruses but has no similar function in geminiviruses. Thanks to the recent discovery of aphid-transmitted geminiviruses, this prediction could be tested for the geminivirus alfalfa leaf curl virus (ALCV) and the nanovirus faba bean necrotic stunt virus (FBNSV) in their common vector, Aphis craccivora. Estimations of viral load in midgut and head of aphids, precise localization of viral DNA in cells of insect vectors and host plants, and virus transmission tests revealed that the pathway of the two viruses across the body of their common vector differs both quantitatively and qualitatively.
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Mellor, P. S., J. Boned, C. Hamblin, and S. Graham. "Isolations of African horse sickness virus from vector insects made during the 1988 epizootic in Spain." Epidemiology and Infection 105, no. 2 (October 1990): 447–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0950268800048020.
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SUMMARYThis paper describes the first isolations of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) from insects in Spain. Seven isolations of AHSV serotype 4 were made; four from Culicoides imicola a known vector of the virus elsewhere, two from mixed pools of Culicoides species not including C. imicola and one from blood engorged mosquitoes. Three further isolations of AHSV serotype 4 were also made from horses kept adjacent to the insect collecting sites.This work presents the first definitive identification of the vectors of AHSV in Spain during the 1987, 88 and 89 epizootics. Suggestions are also made concerning the significance of these findings with regard to the epidemiology of African horse sickness in Spain.
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Moya Fernández, Marcia Beatriz, Wenwen Liu, Lu Zhang, Jamal-U.-Ddin Hajano, and Xifeng Wang. "Interplay of Rice Stripe Virus and Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus during Their Acquisition and Accumulation in Insect Vector." Viruses 13, no. 6 (June 10, 2021): 1121. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v13061121.
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Plant viruses transmitted by hemipteran vectors commonly cause losses to crop production. Rice stripe virus (RSV) and rice black streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) are transmitted to rice plants by the same vector, the small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus Fallén, in a persistent propagative manner. However, rarely do the respective diseases they cause occur simultaneously in a field. Here, we determined the acquisition efficiency of RSV and RBSDV when acquired in succession or simultaneously by SBPH. When RBSDV was acquired first, RSV acquisition efficiency was significantly lower than when only acquiring RSV. However, RBSDV acquisition efficiency from insects that acquired RSV first was not significantly different between the insects only acquiring RBSDV. Immunofluorescence assays showed that the acquisition of RBSDV first might inhibit RSV entry into midgut epithelial cells, but RSV did not affect RBSDV entry. SBPHs were more likely to acquire RBSDV when they were feeding on plants coinfected with the two viruses. When RBSDV was acquired before RSV, RBSDV titer was significantly higher and RSV titer first declined, then increased compared to when only acquiring RBSDV or RSV. Only 5% of the SBPHs acquired both viruses when feeding on plants coinfected with RSV and RBSDV. These results provide a better understanding of the interaction between two persistent viruses when present in the same vector insect and explain why RSV and RBSDV occur in intermittent epidemics.
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Burova, O. A., O. I. Zakharova, N. N. Toropova, N. A. Gladkova, and A. A. Blokhin. "The efficiency of methods for catching insects - vectors of vector-borne diseases of animals and their species composition." Agricultural Science Euro-North-East 22, no. 5 (October 27, 2021): 761–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.30766/2072-9081.2021.22.5.761-769.
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The article provides the results of study of the effectiveness of collection methods and the taxonomic identification of insects in the regions of Russia. During the research three methods of collecting insects were used: a UV trap, fly strips and a liquid gadfly trap (“death puddle”). The following blood-sucking insects play a key role in the epizootology of transmissible infections - houseflies (Muscidae), black flies (Simuliidae), mosquitoes (Culicidae), biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), gadflies (Tabanidae). There has been obtained new information on the species, territorial and temporal dynamics of the distribution of vectors of lumpy skin disease in cattle in the subjects of the Russian Federation. Data collection of the spatial and temporal spread of the disease visualized using GIS-technologies have been generated on the basis of the statistical reports. As the result of the research, it has been established that in the Nizhny Novgorod region representatives of the Psychodidae family, the percentage of which was 40.9 %, predominate in the nocturnal entomological complex. They are followed by mosquitoes (genus Culex) - 21.6 %, biting midges - 16.4 % manure flies - 7.0 % and black flies - 3.0 %, respectively. In the Saratov region, the nocturnal entomological complex was represented by manure flies (family Sphaeroceridae), black flies (family Simuliidae) and mosquitoes (genus Culex), the percentages were 56,0, 32,0 and 12,0 %, respectively. At the same time, in the Saratov region there were collected 239 times less mosquitoes than in the Nizhny Novgorod region, which was due to an increase in temperature in the conditions of the southern regions. This caused the water bodies to dry out and reduced the pool of insects whose developmental cycle is related to water. It has been established that all-year keeping of cattle in winter cow yards provides the diversity and rise in the number of insect vectors, which increases the risk of lumpy skin disease as compared to the grazing system of cattle keeping. For collection daytime insect vectors, it is recommended to use fly strips covered with rosin and mineral oil. For collection insects of the nocturnal entomocomplex, which are the main transmitters of the lumpy skin disease virus, one should use ultraviolet traps.
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Khorramnejad, Ayda, Hugo D. Perdomo, Umberto Palatini, Mariangela Bonizzoni, and Laila Gasmi. "Cross Talk between Viruses and Insect Cells Cytoskeleton." Viruses 13, no. 8 (August 20, 2021): 1658. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v13081658.
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Viruses are excellent manipulators of host cellular machinery, behavior, and life cycle, with the host cell cytoskeleton being a primordial viral target. Viruses infecting insects generally enter host cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis or membrane fusion mechanisms followed by transport of the viral particles to the corresponding replication sites. After viral replication, the viral progeny egresses toward adjacent cells and reaches the different target tissues. Throughout all these steps, actin and tubulin re-arrangements are driven by viruses. The mechanisms used by viruses to manipulate the insect host cytoskeleton are well documented in the case of alphabaculoviruses infecting Lepidoptera hosts and plant viruses infecting Hemiptera vectors, but they are not well studied in case of other insect–virus systems such as arboviruses–mosquito vectors. Here, we summarize the available knowledge on how viruses manipulate the insect host cell cytoskeleton, and we emphasize the primordial role of cytoskeleton components in insect virus motility and the need to expand the study of this interaction.
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Hommay, Gérard, Antoine Alliaume, Catherine Reinbold, and Etienne Herrbach. "Transmission of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-1 (Ampelovirus) and Grapevine virus A (Vitivirus) by the Cottony Grape Scale, Pulvinaria vitis (Hemiptera: Coccidae)." Viruses 13, no. 10 (October 15, 2021): 2081. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v13102081.
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The cottony grape scale Pulvinaria vitis is a scale insect colonizing grapevine; however, its capacity as a vector of grapevine viruses is poorly known in comparison to other scale species that are vectors of viral species in the genera Ampelovirus and Vitivirus. The ability of P. vitis to transmit the ampeloviruses Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses [GLRaV]−1, −3, and −4, and the vitivirus Grapevine virus A (GVA), to healthy vine cuttings was assessed. The scale insects used originated from commercial vine plots located in Alsace, Eastern France. When nymphs sampled from leafroll-infected vineyard plants were transferred onto healthy cuttings, only one event of transmission was obtained. However, when laboratory-reared, non-viruliferous nymphs were allowed to acquire viruses under controlled conditions, both first and second instar nymphs derived from two vineyards were able to transmit GLRaV−1 and GVA. This is the first report of GLRaV−1 and GVA transmission from grapevine to grapevine by this species.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Insects, vectors, virus diseases"
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Ninio, Camille. "Fièvre catarrhale ovine dans les Ardennes : étude de la biologie des Culicoïdes et de leur rôle épidémiologique." Thesis, Reims, 2011. http://www.theses.fr/2011REIMP203/document.
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La Fièvre catarrhale ovine (FCO) est une arbovirose émergente en Europe depuis la fin desannées 90. Elle affecte principalement les ruminants par la piqûre de petits moucheronshématophages, les Culicoides (Diptera : Ceratopogonidae). Pendant l’été 2006, l’introductiondu sérotype 8 de la FCO, dans la région de Maastricht (Pays-Bas) a rapidement diffusé dansles Ardennes, générant de lourdes pertes pour les éleveurs de bovins et d’ovins. Cesévènements interrogent sur la capacité des Culicoides de la région paléarctique à transmettrela FCO. Ils révèlent la nécessité de mieux connaître la biologie de ces diptères.Nous avons développé successivement dans ce travail, trois axes de recherche qui se sontappuyés sur un travail de terrain réalisé principalement au sein de deux élevages situés dansles Ardennes françaises.Dans un premier temps, nous avons réalisé une expérimentation de gorgement de Culicoidesde captures et d’émergences, provenant des Ardennes, sur petits ruminants virémiques pour leBTV8. A l’issue des expérimentations, une femelle gorgée de l’espèce Culicoides obsoletus apondu et a été retrouvée faiblement positive lors de la recherche du génome du virus de laFCO. Les résultats obtenus ainsi que les difficultés rencontrées lors de la réalisation de cetype d’expérimentation sont discutés.Le deuxième travail exposé s’est intéressé au comportement trophique des Culicoides parl’étude de l’origine du repas sanguin de femelles de Culicoides piégées dans des biotopesvariés. A cette fin, nous avons utilisé des marqueurs moléculaires pour amplifier l’ADN devertébré présent dans les estomacs de femelles gorgées. Ces analyses ont permis de mettre enévidence que des espèces appartenant aux complexes Obsoletus, Pulicaris, ou encore,Culicoides dewulfi, avaient un spectre d’hôte large. Certaines d’entre elles peuvent se gorger àla fois sur les ruminants domestiques et sur la faune sauvage. De plus, ce type d’étuderenseigne sur l’écologie des différentes espèces de Culicoides.Enfin, nous présentons les résultats d’une étude faunistique fondée sur des captures avec despièges lumineux, mais aussi, des prélèvements de boue pour la recherche des gîtes larvaires.Les résultats de piégeages entre les deux exploitations ont été comparés, notamment en termesde biodiversité, et sont discutés en regard des différences de pratiques d’élevage entre lesdeux exploitations choisies d’une part, et la mise en évidence des gîtes larvaires d’autre part.De nombreuses espèces de Culicoides ont émergé au laboratoire à partir des prélèvements deboues, qui ont été caractérisés macroscopiquement. Les gîtes larvaires de C. obsoletus, peuconnus jusqu’alors, ont été mis en évidence dans les deux fermes. Ils ont fait l’objet d’un suivisur plusieurs mois.L’ensemble de ces études contribue à la meilleure connaissance des Culicoides présents dansles Ardennes et de leur biologie, elles permettent de rendre compte des espèces qui semblenttrès inféodées à l’élevage de bovins, et celles qui sont plus ubiquistes. Certains travauxprésentés pourraient être poursuivis pour mettre en évidence les espèces ou populations deCulicoides plutôt sylvatiques, et pour mettre en place de nouvelles expérimentations sur lacompétence et la capacité vectorielle des CulicoidesSince the late 90’s, Bluetongue disease (BT) can be considered as an emerging arbovirose inEurope. This disease is mainly transmitted to ruminants by the bites of minute size midges,the Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), also known as biting midges. An outbreak of BTserotype 8 occurred during summer 2006, in the region of Maastricht (Netherlands) andspread quickly to the Ardennes region. The epizooty lead to severe losses in cattle and sheepholdings. These events highlighted the lack of knowledge on the vectorial capacity ofpaleartic Culicoides species, and more generally on their biology.Three approaches are successively treated in this document. They are all based on field workconducted mainly in two holdings located in the Ardennes region.First, an experiment to assess oral susceptibility of Culicoides to Bluetongue virus (BTV) 8was undertaken. Field collected and emerging Culicoides coming from the Ardennes wereengorged on viremic small ruminants. At the end of the experiments, one Culicoides obsoletusfemale was found bloodfed and laid eggs. She was tested for BTV and was found weaklypositive for BTV genome. This result and the difficulties met during the experiment havebeen discussed.The second study focused on the bloodmeal origin of engorged females of Culicoides. Thesewere collected by light traps set in different kinds of environment. Molecular markers wereused in order to amplify the DNA of vertebrates present in the stomach of bloodfed females.Some of the species processed belonging to the Obsoletus or the Pulicaris complex, andCulicoides dewulfi fed on a wide variety of hosts, including domestic ruminants and wildanimals. Moreover, this kind of study brings information on the ecology of different speciesof Culicoides.Finally, a faunistic survey is presented. It was achieved through light trap collections ofmidges and also thanks to the sampling of potential breeding sites. Biodiversity in thecollection of midges captured by light traps between the two holdings were compared.Differences observed are discussed taking into account the differences in breeding practicesbetween the two holdings and the breeding sites investigations. Numerous species ofCulicoides emerged in the laboratory from soil samples which were macroscopicallydescribed. Breeding sites of C. obsoletus, which were not well documentated in the literature,were found in both farms. These were monitored over some months.This work contributes to a better knowledge of the Culicoides present in the Ardennes andtheir biology. It highlights the species which are closely related to the cattle holdingenvironment, and those which are ubiquist. Some of these studies could be continued in orderto highlight the species more related to the forested areas, and to set new experiments onvectorial competence and capacity
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Ally, Hadija Mussa. "Genetic diversity and structure of the superabundant whitefly populations, vectors of viruses causing diseases of cassava in three East African countries (Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda)." Thesis, La Réunion, 2019. http://www.theses.fr/2019LARE0012.
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Des pullulations d’aleurodes du complexe d'espèces cryptiques de Bemisia tabaci ont été associées à la propagation de deux maladies frappant le manioc en Afrique orientale: la maladie de la mosaïque du manioc (CMD) et, plus récemment (2000), la maladie de la striure brune du manioc (CBSD). Parmi les espèces d’aleurodes de ce complexe, l’espèce SSA2 a été associée à la première épidémie de CMD au cours des années 1990 en Ouganda. Cependant, SSA2 aurait été remplacée par SSA1 dans les années 2000, provoquant une recrudescence de CMD et de CBSD, participant à leur propagation dans plusieurs pays voisins. L’hypothèse défendue à ce jour expliquant la propagation de ces maladies vers le sud et l'ouest de l'Afrique incrimine cette nouvelle espèce considérée comme émergente dans certains de ces pays. Dans ma thèse, j’ai utilisé des données écologiques et des approches moléculaires afin de mieux comprendre les facteurs à l'origine des pullulations de vecteurs en Afrique de l'Est. Nous avons ainsi analysé : i) l’abondance, la diversité et la répartition des espèces sur un transect comprenant : Ouganda, Tanzanie et Malawi, ii) la diversité génétique et la structure des populations actuelles des espèces de B. tabaci, iii) des échantillons des années 90 comparés aux populations actuelles (2017). Cette étude nous a permis d’avoir une image d’une situation plus complexe qu’attendue, en effet, l’espèce SSA1 a été détectée comme à l’origine dans certaines des pullulations observées mais également d’autres espèces, notamment IO et SSA1-SG3 ont aussi montrées cette capacité. Les pullulations observées ne sont donc pas uniquement liées à une seule espèce en Afrique de l’Est. En outre, nous avons pu montrer que la communauté d'espèces et sa diversité génétique diffère d'un pays à l'autre, impliquant des situations épidémiologiques différentes, sans aucun schéma d'invasion détecté entre pays. En outre, l’analyse des anciens échantillons n’a pas montré l’implication d’une nouvelle espèce ou population en 20 ans, toutefois, nous avons observé un changement de dynamique au sein des groupes génétiques représentés au cours du tempsHigh population of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, a cryptic species complex had been associated with the vectoring and spread of viruses causing two diseases of cassava in East Africa: the cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). Among the B. tabaci species, sub-Saharan Africa 2 (SSA2) was the vector associated with an epidemic of CMD since the 1990s in Uganda. However, this species is now replaced by the SSA1 and led to development of another epidemic by CBSD since the mid 2000s. The spread of both diseases toward South and West Africa is feared with this new supposed invader. In my thesis I have used ecological data and molecular approaches (mitochondrial and nuclear markers) to better understand the factors driving the presence of the superabundant whitefly populations on cassava in East Africa. We have analyzed: i) species abundance, diversity and distribution (geographic and host plants) along a transect survey over three East African countries: Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, ii) the genetic diversity and structure of current populations of B. tabaci species, and iii) comparing genetic changes between the old and new populations collected in 1997 and 2017, respectively.This study involving large number of samples provided insights of a more complex picture than expected. SSA1 was found to be the source of the some observed outbreaks although other species, notably IO and sub-group 3 of SSA1 (SSA1-SG3) have also shown this capability. The observed outbreaks are therefore not just related to a single species in East Africa. In addition, we showed that the species community and its genetic diversity differ from one country to another, involving different epidemiological situations, without any clear pattern of invasion detected between the countries. Analysis of old samples did not show the involvement of a new species or the emergence of a new population in 20 years, although the dynamics within the whitefly genetic groups was observed over time. Our results contributed new knowledge on the super abundant populations on cassava in Eastern Africa and help develop targeted control measures for the local populations
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Manley, Robyn Anna. "Emerging viral diseases of pollinating insects." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/29677.
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The risks posed by rapidly evolving RNA viruses to human and animal health are well recognized. Epidemics in managed and wildlife populations can lead to considerable economic and biodiversity losses. Yet, we lack understanding of the ecological and evolutionary factors that promote disease emergence. Host-switching viruses may be a particular threat to species important for human welfare, such as pollinating bees. Both honeybees and wild bumblebees have faced sharp declines in the last decades, with high winter mortality seen in honeybees. Infectious and emerging diseases are considered one of the key drivers of declines, acting in synergy with habitat loss and pesticide use. Here I focus on multihost viruses that pose a risk to wild bumblebees. I first identify the risk factors driving viral spillover and emergence from managed honeybees to wild bumblebees, by synthesising current data and literature. Biological factors (i.e. the nature of RNA viruses and ecology of social bees) play a clear role in increasing the risk of disease emergence, but anthropogenic factors (trade and transportation of commercial honeybees and bumblebees) creates the greatest risk of viral spillover to wild bees. Basic knowledge of the pathogenic effect of many common pollinator viruses on hosts other than A. mellifera is currently lacking, yet vital for understanding the wider impacts of infection at a population level. Here, I provide evidence that a common bumblebee virus, Slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV), reduces the longevity of Bombus terrestris under conditions of nutrition stress. The invasion of Varroa destructor as an ectoparasitic viral vector in European honeybees has dramatically altered viral dynamics in honeybees. I test how this specialist honeybee vector affects multi-host pathogens that can infect and be transmitted by both honeybees and wild bumblebees. I sampled across three host species (A. mellifera, B. terrestris and B. pascuorum) from Varroa-free and Varroa-present locations. Using a combination of molecular and phylogenetic techniques I find that this specialist honeybee vector increases the prevalence of four multi-host viruses (deformed wing virus (type A and B), SBPV and black queen cell virus) in sympatric wild bumblebees. Furthermore, wild bumblebees are currently experiencing a DWV epidemic driven by the presence of virus-vectoring Varroa in A. mellifera. Overall this thesis demonstrates that wild bumblebees are at high risk of viral disease emergence. My research adds to the ever-expanding body of evidence indicating that stronger disease controls on commercial bee operations are crucial to protect our wild bumblebees.
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Srivatsavai, Venkata Suresh Kumar Huettel Robin Norton. "Identification, distribution and vector biology of brome mosaic virus of wheat in Alabama." Auburn, Ala., 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10415/1266.
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Walter, Cheryl Tracy. "Establishing experimental systems for studying the replication biology of Providence virus." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003987.
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Providence virus (PrV) is a member of the Tetraviridae, a family of small, positive sense, single-stranded RNA viruses, which characteristically infect the midgut tissue of heliothine larvae. PrV is the only known tetravirus that replicates in cultured insect cells. The virus comprises a monopartite genome resembling members of the genus Betatetravirus with the capsid precursor protein undergoing autoproteolytic cleavage at its C-terminus consistent with other tetravirus capsid precursor proteins. Analysis of viral cDNA predicted the presence of three potential overlapping gene products (from 5` to 3`): (1) p130, a protein of unrecognized nucleotide or amino acid homology with a 2A-like processing site at its N-terminus; (2) p104, the replicase ORF, which was found to be phylogenetically related to tombus-and umbraviruses replicases. The presence of a read-through stop signal in the p104 ORF was proposed to produce and amino terminal product with a predicted MW of 40 kDa (p40) and (3) the capsid protein precursor (81 kDa) which has two 2A-like processing sites at its N-terminus. Metabolic radiolabelling of viral translation products in persistently infected MG8 cells and in vitro translation of the individual ORFs were performed in order to analyse the expression of PrV gene products. p130 was translated with no evidence of 2A-like processing. Two products of 40 kDa and 104 kDa were translated from the p104 ORF, indicating that the read-through stop signal was likely to be functional. Finally, the capsid protein precursor ORF produced a major translation product of 68 kDa corresponding to the capsid protein precursor as well a peptide of 15 kDa that was attributed to the activity of the second 2A-like site at the N-terminus of the p81 ORF. The subcellular distribution of viral RNA (vRNA) and p40 in MG8 cells was investigated using immunofluorescence and biochemical fractionation. The results showed that p40/p104 and vRNA accumulated in polarized, punctate structures in some but not all MG8 cells and in some cases, co-localization was observed. This thesis concludes that PrV is a novel tetravirus with significant similarities plant carmolike viruses that should be re-classified at the family level.
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Freitas, Debora Maria Sansini. "Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) e Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV): relações com a Bemisia tabaci biótipo B e eficiência de um inseticida no controle da transmissão do ToSRV." Universidade de São Paulo, 2012. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/11/11135/tde-25102012-083603/.
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A cultura do tomateiro (Solanum lycopersicum L.) é importante mundialmente devido ao alto consumo de seus frutos. Nos últimos anos surgiram nesta cultura no Brasil alguns vírus emergentes com altas taxas de disseminação, como begomovírus e crinivírus, transmitidos pela Bemisia tabaci biótipo B, que podem causar danos à produção do tomateiro. A espécie de begomovírus atualmente mais encontrada no Brasil, em plantios de tomateiro, é o Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV). De 2002 a 2004, pesquisadores relataram incidências desse vírus em mais da metade das amostras com sintomas de geminiviroses coletadas em vários estados brasileiros e sua presença continua sendo verificada frequentemente. No ano de 2006, um crinivírus, o Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), foi relatado no Brasil, infectando plantas de tomate no Estado de São Paulo e atualmente encontra-se presente em diveros estados brasileiros. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram: determinar os períodos mínimos de acesso à aquisição e à inoculação do ToSRV e do ToCV pela B. tabaci biótipo B; identificar o período de retenção do ToSRV no inseto e a interação do ToSRV e do ToCV na aquisição e na transmissão por esse aleirodídeo. Também foi avaliada a eficiência do inseticida cloridrato de cartape no controle da disseminação primária e secundária do ToSRV pela B. tabaci biótipo B em tomateiros em gaiolas em casa de vegetação. Finalmente avaliou-se a eficiência do aleirodídeo Trialeurodes vaporariorum na transmissão de um isolado brasileiro do ToCV. Os períodos mínimos de acesso à aquisição e à inoculação de ambos os vírus pela B. tabaci biótipo B foram de cinco minutos. O tempo de retenção do ToSRV em B. tabaci biótipo B foi de 25 dias. A eficiência de um único adulto de B. tabaci na transmissão simultânea do ToSRV e do ToCV para tomateiros foi de 44,7%, similar àquela da transmissão isolada do ToRSV (47,4%) e do ToCV (44,7%). A eficiência de T. vaporariorum na transmissão do ToCV foi inferior à da B. tabaci biótipo B. Usando 40 insetos por vaso com duas plantas as eficiências de transmissão foram 57,7% e 100%, respectivamente. O inseticida cloridrato de cartape reduziu a infecção secundária do ToSRV pela B. tabaci biótipo B, mas não foi eficiente para reduzir a infecção primária em tomateiros.Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the leading vegetables grown and consumed in Brazil and in the world, after potato. The importance of tomato is related to its high consumption worldwide and also its nutritive value. Presently the most important virus diseases responsible for yield losses on tomato crops in Brazil are those caused by begomovirus and crinivirus, both transmitted by Bemisia tabaci biotype B. At the moment the prevalent species of begomovirus is Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV). From 2002 to 2004, researchers reported incidence of this virus in more than half of the symptomatic tomato samples collected in several Brazilian states. In 2006, a crinivirus, Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), was reported for the first time in Brazil, infecting tomato plants in the State of São Paulo and at present the virus occurs in several Brazilian states. The objectives of this study were to determine the minimum acquisition and inoculation access periods of ToSRV and ToCV by B. tabaci biotype B; identify the retention period of ToSRV in the insect; and the interaction of ToSRV and ToCV on the transmission by this aleyrodidae. It was also evaluated the effectiveness of the insecticide cartap hydrochloride in controlling the primary and secondary spread of ToSRV by B. tabaci biotype B on tomato plants in a greenhouse. Finally, it was evaluated the efficiency of Trialeurodes vaporariorum in the transmission of a Brazilian isolate of ToCV. The minimum acquisition and inoculation access periods for both viruses by B. tabaci biotype B were five minutes. The maximum retention time of ToSRV in B. tabaci biotype B was 25 days. The efficiency of a single adult of B. tabaci to simultaneously transmit ToSRV and ToCV to tomato plants was 44.7%, similar to the transmission of ToRSV (47.4%), and ToCV (44.7%) separately. T. vaporariorum was less efficient than B. tabaci on the transmission of ToCV. Using 40 insects per pot with two plants, transmission efficiencies were 57.7% and 100%, respectively. The insecticide cartap hydrochloride reduced secondary infection of ToSRV transmitted by B. tabaci biotype B, but was not effective in reducing the primary infection in tomato.
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Fletcher, Michael Gordon. "Determination of the possible role of arthropods as vectors for "Potomac Horse Fever" in equines." Diss., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/76514.
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Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) is a disease of great concern to many horse owners in the Potomac River area of Maryland and Virginia. It is caused by a rickettsia, Ehrlichia risticii. The involvement of an arthropod vector has been suspected because of the seasonal epidemiology of the disease. This research was an attempt to identify and evaluate potential arthropod vectors. A seasonal activity study of biting arthropods attacking horses in endemic areas of Maryland and Virginia identified five potential vectors: (1) Simulium jenningsi (Diptera: Simuliidae), (2) Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae), (3) Culicoides obsoletus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), (4) C. variipennis, and (5) Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae).
These five arthropod species were given status as potential vectors because they were collected feeding on horses just prior to and throughout the PHF season. Simulium jenningsi and D. variabilis have the closest seasonal association with the occurrence of PHF as presented in this study. D. variabilis was determined to have the greatest potential due to its reported association with other rickettsial diseases.
A series of laboratory and field studies were designed to examine the potential role of D. variabilis in the transmission of E. risticii. We first attempted to transmit E. risticii by feeding adult D. variabilis collected from an endemic farm on susceptible horses. Other laboratory studies included mouse to horse and mouse to mouse transmission attempts using ticks fed on mice inoculated with E. risticii. A serological survey of 105 trapped field rodents (host of immature D. variabilis) on endemic farms in Maryland showed all specimens collected to be negative for PHF antibodies. These studies and others gave no indication of D. variabilis's involvement in the transmission of the disease in nature. The other species mentioned above were not examined.Ph. D.
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Tah, Tapashree Schoelz James E. "Chloroplast GFP expression in tobacco plants agroinfiltrated with tobacco mosaic virus based vectors." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri--Columbia, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/6604.
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Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb 19, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Thesis advisor: Dr. James E. Schoelz. Includes bibliographical references.
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Wong, Tik-wun Lina, and 黃荻媛. "Construction of an infectious PRRSV cDNA clone and its use as a vectorfor foreign gene expression." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2010. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B44251841.
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Van, Eeden C. (Christiaan). "The construction of gene silencing transformation vectors for the introduction of multiple-virus resistance in grapevines." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53764.
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Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Viruses are some of the most important pathogens of grapevines. There are no effective chemical treatments, and no grapevine- or other natural resistance genes have been discovered against grapevine infecting viruses. The primary method of grapevine virus control is prevention by biological indexing and molecular- and serological screening of rootstocks and scions before propagation. Due to the spread of grapevine viruses through insect vectors, and in the case of GRSPaV the absence of serological screening, these methods of virus control are not always effective. In the past several methods, from cross-protection to pathogen derived resistance (PDR), have been applied to induce plant virus resistance, but with inconsistent results. In recent years the application of post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS), a naturally occurring plant defense mechanism, to induce targeted virus resistance has achieved great success. The Waterhouse research group has designed plant transformation vectors that facilitate specific virus resistance through PTGS. The primary focus of this study was the production of virus specific transformation vectors for the introduction of grapevine virus resistance. The Waterhouse system has been successfully utilised for the construction of three transformation vectors with the pHannibal vector as backbone. Each vector contains homologous virus coat protein (CP) gene segments, cloned in a complementary conformation upstream and downstream of an intron sequence. The primary vector (pHann-SAScon) contains complementary CP gene segments of both GRSPaV and GLRaV-3 and was designed for the introduction of multiple-virus resistance. For the construction of the primary vector the GRSPaV CP gene was isolated from RSP infected grapevines. A clone of the GLRaV-3 CP gene was acquired. The second vector (pHann- LR3CPsas) contains complementary CP gene segments of GLRaV-3. The third vector (pHann-LR2CPsas) contains complementary CP gene segments of GLRaV-2. The cassette containing the complementary CP gene segments of both GRSPaV and GLRaV-3 was cloned into pART27 (pART27-HSAScon), and used to transform N tabacum cv. Petit Havana (SRI), through A. tumefaciens mediated transformation. Unfortunately potential transformants failed to regenerate on rooting media; hence no molecular tests were performed to confirm transformation. Once successful transformants are generated, infection with a recombinant virus vector (consisting of PYX, the GFP gene as screenable marker and the complementary CP gene segments of both GRSPaV and GLRaV-3) will be used to test for the efficacy of the vectors to induce resistance. A secondary aim was added to this project when a need was identified within the South African viticulture industry for GRSPaV specific antibodies to be used in serological screening. To facilitate future serological detection of GRSPaV, the CP gene was isolated and expressed with a bacterial expression system (pETI4b) within the E. coli BL2I(DE3)pLysS cell line. The expressed protein will be used to generate GRSPaV CP specific antibodies.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Virusse is van die belangrikste patogene by wingerd. Daar bestaan geen effektiewe chemiese beheer nie, en geen wingerd- of ander natuurlike weerstandsgene teen wingerdvirusse is al ontdek nie. Die primêre metode van beheer t.o.v. wingerdvirusse is voorkoming deur biologiese indeksering, en molekulêre- en serologiese toetsing van onderstokke en entlote voor verspreiding. As gevolg van die verspreiding van wingerdvirusse deur insekvektore, en in die geval van GRSPa V die tekort aan serologiese toetsing, is dié metodes van virusbeheer nie altyd effektief nie. In die verlede is metodes soos kruis-beskerming en patogeen-afgeleide weerstand (PDR) gebruik om virusweerstand te induseer, maar met inkonsekwente resultate. In onlangse jare is post-transkripsionele geenonderdrukking (PTGS), 'n natuurlike plantbeskermingsmeganisme, met groot sukses toegepas om geteikende virusweerstand te induseer. Die Waterhouse-navorsingsgroep het planttransformasievektore ontwerp wat spesifieke virusweerstand induseer d.m.v. PTGS. Die vervaardiging van virus spesifieke tranformasievektore vir die indusering van wingerdvirusweerstand was die primêre doelwit van hierdie studie. Die Waterhouse-sisteem was gebruik vir die konstruksie van drie transformasievektore, met die pHannibal vektor as basis. Elke vektor bevat homoloë virus kapsiedproteïen (CP) geensegmente, gekloneer in 'n komplementêre vorm stroom-op en stroom-af van 'n intronvolgorde. Die primêre vektor (pHann-SAScon) bevat komplementêre CP geensegmente van beide GRSPaV en GLRaV-3, en was ontwerp vir die indusering van veelvoudige-virusweerstand. Die CP-geen van GRSPa V was vanuit RSP-geïnfekteerde wingerd geïsoleer, vir die konstruksie van die primêre vektor. 'n Kloon van die GLRa V-3 CP-geen was verkry. Die tweede vektor (pHann-LR3CPsas) bevat komplementêre CP geensegmente van GLRaV-3. Die derde vektor (pHann-LR2CPsas) bevat komplementêre CP geensegmente van GLRa V-2. Die kasset bestaande uit die komplementêre CP geensegmente van beide GRSPaV en GLRaV-3, was gekloneer in pART27 (pART27-HSAScon), en gebruik om N tabacum cv. Petit Havana (SRI) te transformeer d.m.v. A. tumefaciens bemiddelde transformasie. Ongelukkig het potensiële transformante nie geregenereer op bewortelingsmedia nie; gevolglik was geen molekulêre toetse gedoen om transformasie te bevestig nie. Na suksesvolle transformante gegenereer is, sal infeksie met 'n rekombinante-virusvektor (bestaande uit PYX, die GFP geen as waarneembare merker en die komplementêre CP geensegmente van beide GRSPa V en GLRa V-3) gebruik word om die effektiwiteit van die vektore as weerstandsinduseerders te toets. 'n Sekondêre doelwit is by die projek gevoeg toe 'n behoefte aan GRSPaV spesifieke teenliggame binne die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf geïdentifiseer is, vir gebruik in serologiese toetsing. Om toekomstige serologiese toetsing van GRSPa V te bemiddel, was die CP-geen geïsoleer en in 'n bakteriële uitdrukkingsisteem (PETI4b) uitgedruk, in die E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS sellyn. Die uitgedrukte proteïne sal gebruik word vir die vervaardiging van GRSPa V CP spesifieke antiliggame.
Books on the topic "Insects, vectors, virus diseases"
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Chan, C. K. Aphid-transmitted viruses and their vectors of the world. Vancouver: Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, 1991.
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International Symposium on Viruses with Fungal Vectors (1987 St. Andrews University). Viruses with fungal vectors. Wellesbourne, Warwick: Association of Applied Biologists, 1988.
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F, Brown D. J., ed. Nematode vectors of plant viruses. New York: CAB International, 1997.
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Martignoni, Mauro E. A catalog of viral diseases of insects, mites, and ticks. 4th ed. Portland Or: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 1986.
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Integrated vector management: Controlling vectors of malaria and other insect vector borne diseases. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
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Medical entomology for students. 5th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
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P, Ralston Dominick, ed. Insect viruses: Detection, characterization, and roles. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Pub., 2009.
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Chukhriĭ, M. G. An atlas of the ultrastructure of viruses of lepidopteran pests of plants. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema, 1988.
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Chukhriĭ, M. G. An atlas of the ultrastructure of viruses of lepidopteran pests of plants. Edited by Tarasevich L. M, Vsesoi͡u︡znyĭ nauchno-issledovatelʹskiĭ institut biologicheskikh metodov zashchity rasentiĭ (Soviet Union), and United States. Dept. of Agriculture. New Delhi: Amerind Pub. Co., 1987.
Find full textBook chapters on the topic "Insects, vectors, virus diseases"
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Govorushko, Sergey. "Insects as Vectors of Plant Diseases." In Human–Insect Interactions, 248–52. Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, 2017. | “A science publishers book.”: CRC Press, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781315119915-16.
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Chavan, V. M. "Plant Virus Disease Spread Through Insect Vectors and Their Management." In New Horizons in Insect Science: Towards Sustainable Pest Management, 147–58. New Delhi: Springer India, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2089-3_15.
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Weingartner, D. P. "Potato Viruses with Soil-borne Vectors." In Virus and Virus-like Diseases of Potatoes and Production of Seed-Potatoes, 177–94. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 2001. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0842-6_19.
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Seki, Sayuri, and Tetsuro Matano. "Development of Vaccines Using SeV Vectors Against AIDS and Other Infectious Diseases." In Sendai Virus Vector, 127–49. Tokyo: Springer Japan, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54556-9_5.
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Naves, Pedro, Luis Bonifácio, and Edmundo de Sousa. "The Pine Wood Nematode and Its Local Vectors in the Mediterranean Basin." In Insects and Diseases of Mediterranean Forest Systems, 329–78. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24744-1_12.
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Antignus, Y., and D. Ben-Yakir. "Ultraviolet-Absorbing Barriers, an Efficient Integrated Pest Management Tool to Protect Greenhouses from Insects and Virus Diseases." In Insect Pest Management, 319–35. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2004. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-07913-3_13.
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Korenberg, Eduard. "Impact of climate change on ticks and tick-borne infections in Russia." In Climate, ticks and disease, 438–43. Wallingford: CABI, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/9781789249637.0063.
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Abstract This expert opinion considers only the most significant aspects of the impact of climate change on ticks and tick-borne diseases in Russia. Attention is focused on the species that are most widespread in the extratropical part of the northern hemisphere: the taiga tick, Ixodes persulcatus, and the European forest tick, I. ricinus, which are hosts and vectors of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus and Borrelia spirochaetes, agents of ixodid tickborne borrelioses (ITBBs), i.e. of Lyme and Lyme-like diseases.
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Wiedenmann, Robert N., and J. Ray Fisher. "The Plague, One More Time." In The Silken Thread, 112–22. Oxford University Press, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197555583.003.0007.
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This chapter considers arthropod-borne diseases, which will affect nearly everyone in some way. Viruses transmitted by mosquitos include Zika virus and those causing West Nile, dengue, Rift Valley, and yellow fevers. Other diseases transmitted by insects include malaria, typhus, and plague. Some diseases, such as plague, are zoonotic—diseases that naturally occur in wildlife, but are transmitted to and kill humans. The chapter also reviews efforts to eliminate or reduce the incidence of plague epidemics, some of which generated large-scale projects, such as the Soviet Anti-Plague Institute, that sought unsuccessfully to eradicate rodents and their fleas over a broad area, while others tried to use plague as a bioweapon. The 20th-Century Japanese bioweapon program, called Unit 731, used insects as vectors to initiate epidemics of plague, cholera, and dysentery, killing hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians during the Sino-Japanese War and World War II.
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Ortega-Parra, Nelia, Zafeiro Zisi, and Inge M. Hanssen. "The use of mild viruses for control of plant pathogenic viruses." In Microbial bioprotectants for plant disease management, 507–40. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.19103/as.2021.0093.19.
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Plant virus management strategies have largely been limited to the application of hygiene protocols, the control of viral vectors such as insects and nematodes and the use of resistant varieties. However, these approaches are often insufficient to prevent infections. The rapid control of newly emerging viral diseases remains challenging. This chapter focuses on cross-protection using mild viruses as active substances in biocontrol. The chapter begins by describing the theoretical modes of action of cross-protection. It then goes on to discuss crucial elements in the development of a cross-protection strategy, taking into account new insights based on commercial application of cross-protection. The chapter also provides case studies in which cross-protection has been applied in commercial crops, in particular vaccination strategies to control Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) in greenhouse tomato. Finally, developments that may impact future research into the control of emerging viral pathogens are discussed.
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Doherty, Peter C. "Virus Vectors." In Pandemics. Oxford University Press, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/wentk/9780199898107.003.0006.
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What is a vector? In the context of virus and other infections, a vector is an insect carrier of disease. What we’re talking about here are living needles in the grass, like ticks, and flying needles, like mosquitoes. One of the major U.S. tire...
Conference papers on the topic "Insects, vectors, virus diseases"
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Silva, Diego, and Gustavo Batista. "Signal classification by similarity and feature extraction with application in automatic insect identification." In XXVIII Concurso de Teses e Dissertações da SBC. Sociedade Brasileira de Computação - SBC, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.5753/ctd.2015.10006.
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Insects have a strong relationship with the human-beings. For example, some species of mosquito transmit diseases that kill millions of people around the world. At the same time, the presence of certain insects is essential for the ecological balance and food production. For this reason, we are developing a novel sensor as a tool to efficiently control disease vectors and agricultural pests without harming other species. In this paper, we demonstrate how we overtook the most important challenge to make this sensor practical: the creation of accurate classification systems. Despite the short duration and the very simple structure of the signal, we managed to successfully identify relevant features using speech and audio analysis techniques. We show that we can achieve an accuracy of 98% in the task of disease vector mosquitoes identification.
Reports on the topic "Insects, vectors, virus diseases"
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Gottlieb, Yuval, and Bradley A. Mullens. Might Bacterial Symbionts Influence Vectorial Capacity of Biting Midges for Ruminant Viruses? United States Department of Agriculture, September 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2010.7699837.bard.
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- Original objectives and revision: The feasibility study performed in the last year was aimed at determining the symbiotic profiles of eight selected Culicoidesspecies in Israel and the USA by: Comparing bacterial communities among geographic populations of primary bluetongue virus (BTV) vectors. Comparing bacterial communities between adults of field-collected, mammal-feeding BTV vectors and non-vectors. Comparing bacterial communities within and between mammal feeders and bird feeders, with special attention to species with unique immature habitats. We made an effort to collect the eight species during the beginning of the project, however, due to the short available collection season, and the significant changes in habitats available for Israeli Culicoides, we initially determined the symbiotic profile of five species: two BTV vectors (C. sonorensis, C. imicola), one mammal feeders with unknown vectoring ability (C. schultzei), one bird feeder (C. crepuscularis), and one unique habitat species (C. cacticola). In addition, upon preliminary symbiont identification we focused our effort on relevant specific symbionts. Background: Biting midges (Culicoides, Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of many major viral diseases affecting farm animals, including BT, which is listed among the most damaging by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and has recently emerged in completely unexpected areas (Northern Europe). One of the strategies to reduce the vectorial capacity of insect vectors is by manipulating their specific symbionts either to affect the vector species or to influence performance of the disease agent within it. Despite significant efforts to elucidate the vectorial capacity of certain Culicoidesspecies, and the critical basis of variability in infection, almost no attention has been given to symbiotic interactions between the vector and its bacterial tenants. It is now established that bacterial symbionts have major influences on their host biology, and may interact with disease agents vectored by their hosts. - Major conclusions, solutions, achievements: During the feasibility project we have found two major bacterial symbionts in Israeli and American Culicoides. In Israel we discovered that C. imicola, a known vector of BT, and C. schultzeigp. a suspected vector of BT, carry the symbiotic bacterium Cardinium, a reproductive manipulator symbiont. In C. imicolathe infection rate was close to 50%, and in C. schultzeiit was lower, and restricted to one of two species within Schultzeigroup. In 3 American species (C. sonorensis, C. crepuscularis, C. cacticola) we found the bacterium Burkholderiasp. In all species tested we have also found other bacterial species in diverse quantities and frequencies. - Implications, both scientific and agricultural: Finding specific symbionts in Culicoidesvector species is the first step in developing symbiont based control (SBC) strategies. Both identified symbionts are known from other insects, and Cardiniumis also known as a reproductive manipulator that can cause cytoplasmic incompatibility, an important phenomenon that can be used for spreading desired traits in infected populations. The role of the symbionts in Culicoideshost can be target for manipulation to reduce the vectorial capacity of the host by either changing its fitness so that it is unable to serve as a vector, or by directly changing the symbiont in a way that will affect the performance of the disease agent in its vector. Since Burkholderiaperhaps can be cultured independently of the host, it is a promising candidate for the later option. Thus, we have now opened the door for studying the specific interactions between symbionts and vector species.
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Gottlieb, Yuval, Bradley Mullens, and Richard Stouthamer. investigation of the role of bacterial symbionts in regulating the biology and vector competence of Culicoides vectors of animal viruses. United States Department of Agriculture, June 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2015.7699865.bard.
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Symbiotic bacteria have been shown to influence host reproduction and defense against biotic and abiotic stressors, and this relates to possible development of a symbiont-based control strategy. This project was based on the hypothesis that symbionts have a significant impact on Culicoides fitness and vector competence for animal viruses. The original objectives in our proposal were: 1. Molecular identification and localization of the newly-discovered symbiotic bacteria within C. imicola and C. schultzei in Israel and C. sonorensis in California. 2. Determination of the prevalence of symbiotic bacteria within different vector Culicoides populations. 3. Documentation of specific symbiont effects on vector reproduction and defense: 3a) test for cytoplasmic incompatibility in Cardinium-infected species; 3b) experimentally evaluate the role of the symbiont on infection or parasitism by key Culicoides natural enemies (iridescent virus and mermithid nematode). 4. Testing the role(s) of the symbionts in possible protection against infection of vector Culicoides by BTV. According to preliminary findings and difficulties in performing experimental procedures performed in other insect symbiosis systems where insect host cultures are easily maintained, we modified the last two objectives as follows: Obj. 3, we tested how symbionts affected general fitness of Israeli Culicoides species, and thoroughly described and evaluated the correlation between American Culicoides and their bacterial communities in the field. We also tried alternative methods to test symbiont-Culicoides interactions and launched studies to characterize low-temperature stress tolerances of the main US vector, which may be related to symbionts. Obj. 4, we tested the correlation between EHDV (instead of BTV) aquisition and Cardinium infection. Culicoides-bornearboviral diseases are emerging or re-emerging worldwide, causing direct and indirect economic losses as well as reduction in animal welfare. One novel strategy to reduce insects’ vectorial capacity is by manipulating specific symbionts to affect vector fitness or performance of the disease agent within. Little was known on the bacterial tenants occupying various Culicoides species, and thus, this project was initiated with the above aims. During this project, we were able to describe the symbiont Cardinium and whole bacterial communities in Israeli and American Culicoides species respectively. We showed that Cardinium infection prevalence is determined by land surface temperature, and this may be important to the larval stage. We also showed no patent significant effect of Cardinium on adult fitness parameters. We showed that the bacterial community in C. sonorensis varies significantly with the host’s developmental stage, but it varies little across multiple wastewater pond environments. This may indicate some specific biological interactions and allowed us to describe a “core microbiome” for C. sonorensis. The final set of analyses that include habitat sample is currently done, in order to separate the more intimately-associated bacteria from those inhabiting the gut contents or cuticle surface (which also could be important). We were also able to carefully study other biological aspects of Culicoides and were able to discriminate two species in C. schultzei group in Israel, and to investigate low temperature tolerances of C. sonorensis that may be related to symbionts. Scientific implications include the establishment of bacterial identification and interactions in Culicoides (our work is cited in other bacteria-Culicoides studies), the development molecular identification of C. schultzei group, and the detailed description of the microbiome of the immature and matched adult stages of C. sonorensis. Agricultural implications include understanding of intrinsic factors that govern Culicoides biology and population regulation, which may be relevant for vector control or reduction in pathogen transmission. Being able to precisely identify Culicoides species is central to understanding Culicoides borne disease epidemiology.
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Chejanovsky, Nor, and Bruce A. Webb. Potentiation of pest control by insect immunosuppression. United States Department of Agriculture, July 2004. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2004.7587236.bard.
Full textAbstract:
Our original aims were to elucidate the mechanisms through which the immunosuppressive insect virus, the Campoletis sonorensis polydnavirus (CsV) promotes replication of a well-characterized pathogenic virus, the Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) in hosts that are mildly or non-permissive to virus replication. According to the BARD panels criticism we modified our short-term goals (see below). Thus, in this feasibility study (one-year funding) we aimed to show that: 1. S. littoralis larvae mount an immune response against a baculovirus infection. 2. Immunosuppression of an insect pest improves the ability of a viral pathogen (a baculovirus) to infect the pest. 3. S. littoralis cells constitute an efficient tool to study some aspects of the anti- viral immune response. We achieved the above objectives by: 1. Finding melanized viral foci upon following the baculoviral infection in S . littoralis larvae infected with a polyhedra - positive AcMNPV recombinant that expressed the GFP gene under the control of the Drosophila heat shock promoter. 2. Studying the effect of AcMNPV-infection in S . littoralis immunosuppressed by parasitation with the Braconidae wasp Chelonus inanitus that bears the CiV polydna virus, that resulted in higher susceptibility of S. littoralis to AcMNPV- infection. 3. Proving that S. littoralis hemocytes resist AcMNPV -infection. 4. Defining SL2 as a granulocyte-like cell line and demonstrating that as littoralis hemocytic cell line undergoes apoptosis upon AcMNPV -infection. 5. Showing that some of the recombinant AcMNPV expressing the immuno-suppressive polydna virus CsV- vankyrin genes inhibit baculoviral-induced lysis of SL2 cells. This information paves the way to elucidate the mechanisms through which the immuno- suppressive polydna insect viruses promote replication of pathogenic baculoviruses in lepidopteran hosts that are mildly or non-permissive to virus- replication by: - Assessing the extent to which and the mechanisms whereby the immunosuppressive viruses, CiV and CsV or their genes enhance AcMNPV replication in polydnavirus- immunosuppressed H. zea and S. littoralis insects and S. littoralis cells. - Identifying CiV and CsV genes involved in the above immunosuppression (e.g. inhibiting cellular encapsulation and disrupting humoral immunity). This study will provide insight to the molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and improve our understanding of insect immunity. This knowledge is of fundamental importance to controlling insect vectored diseases of humans, animals and plants and essential to developing novel means for pest control (including baculoviruses) that strategically weaken insect defenses to improve pathogen (i.e. biocontrol agent) infection and virulence.
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Chejanovsky, Nor, and Bruce A. Webb. Potentiation of Pest Control by Insect Immunosuppression. United States Department of Agriculture, January 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2010.7592113.bard.
Full textAbstract:
The restricted host range of many baculoviruses, highly pathogenic to Lepidoptera and non-pathogenic to mammals, limits their use to single or few closely related Lepidopteran species and is an obstacle to extending their implementation for pest control. The insect immune response is a major determinant of the ability of an insect pathogen to efficiently multiply and propagate. We have developed an original model system to study the Lepidopteran antiviral immune response based on Spodoptera littoralis resistance to AcMNPV (Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus) infection and the fascinating immunosuppressive activity of polydnaviruses .Our aim is to elucidate the mechanisms through which the immunosuppressive insect polydnaviruses promote replication of pathogenic baculoviruses in lepidopteran hosts that are mildly or non-permissive to virus- replication. In this study we : 1- Assessed the extent to which and the mechanisms whereby the immunosuppressive Campoletis sonorensis polydnavirus (CsV) or its genes enhanced replication of a well-characterized pathogenic baculovirus AcMNPV, in polydnavirus-immunosuppressedH. zea and S. littoralis insects and S. littoralis cells, hosts that are mildly or non-permissive to AcMNPV. 2- Identified CsV genes involved in the above immunosuppression (e.g. inhibiting cellular encapsulation and disrupting humoral immunity). We showed that: 1. S. littoralis larvae mount an immune response against a baculovirus infection. 2. Immunosuppression of an insect pest improves the ability of a viral pathogen, the baculovirus AcMNPV, to infect the pest. 3. For the first time two PDV-specific genes of the vankyrin and cystein rich-motif families involved in immunosuppression of the host, namely Pvank1 and Hv1.1 respectively, enhanced the efficacy of an insect pathogen toward a semipermissive pest. 4. Pvank1 inhibits apoptosis of Spodopteran cells elucidating one functional aspect of PDVvankyrins. 5. That Pvank-1 and Hv1.1 do not show cooperative effect in S. littoralis when co-expressed during AcMNPV infection. Our results pave the way to developing novel means for pest control, including baculoviruses, that rely upon suppressing host immune systems by strategically weakening insect defenses to improve pathogen (i.e. biocontrol agent) infection and virulence. Also, we expect that the above result will help to develop systems for enhanced insect control that may ultimately help to reduce transmission of insect vectored diseases of humans, animals and plants as well as provide mechanisms for suppression of insect populations that damage crop plants by direct feeding.
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Bar-Joseph, Moshe, William O. Dawson, and Munir Mawassi. Role of Defective RNAs in Citrus Tristeza Virus Diseases. United States Department of Agriculture, September 2000. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2000.7575279.bard.
Full textAbstract:
This program focused on citrus tristeza virus (CTV), the largest and one of the most complex RNA-plant-viruses. The economic importance of this virus to the US and Israeli citrus industries, its uniqueness among RNA viruses and the possibility to tame the virus and eventually turn it into a useful tool for the protection and genetic improvement of citrus trees justify these continued efforts. Although the overall goal of this project was to study the role(s) of CTV associated defective (d)-RNAs in CTV-induced diseases, considerable research efforts had to be devoted to the engineering of the helper virus which provides the machinery to allow dRNA replication. Considerable progress was made through three main lines of complementary studies. For the first time, the generation of an engineered CTV genetic system that is capable of infecting citrus plants with in vitro modified virus was achieved. Considering that this RNA virus consists of a 20 kb genome, much larger than any other previously developed similar genetic system, completing this goal was an extremely difficult task that was accomplished by the effective collaboration and complementarity of both partners. Other full-length genomic CTV isolates were sequenced and populations examined, resulting in a new level of understanding of population complexities and dynamics in the US and Israel. In addition, this project has now considerably advanced our understanding and ability to manipulate dRNAs, a new class of genetic elements of closteroviruses, which were first found in the Israeli VT isolate and later shown to be omnipresent in CTV populations. We have characterized additional natural dRNAs and have shown that production of subgenomic mRNAs can be involved in the generation of dRNAs. We have molecularly cloned natural dRNAs and directly inoculated citrus plants with 35S-cDNA constructs and have shown that specific dRNAs are correlated with specific disease symptoms. Systems to examine dRNA replication in protoplasts were developed and the requirements for dRNA replication were defined. Several artificial dRNAs that replicate efficiently with a helper virus were created from infectious full-genomic cDNAs. Elements that allow the specific replication of dRNAs by heterologous helper viruses also were defined. The T36-derived dRNAs were replicated efficiently by a range of different wild CTV isolates and hybrid dRNAs with heterologous termini are efficiently replicated with T36 as helper. In addition we found: 1) All CTV genes except of the p6 gene product from the conserved signature block of the Closteroviridae are obligate for assembly, infectivity, and serial protoplast passage; 2) The p20 protein is a major component of the amorphous inclusion bodies of infected cells; and 3) Novel 5'-Co-terminal RNAs in CTV infected cells were characterized. These results have considerably advanced our basic understanding of the molecular biology of CTV and CTV-dRNAs and form the platform for the future manipulation of this complicated virus. As a result of these developments, the way is now open to turn constructs of this viral plant pathogen into new tools for protecting citrus against severe CTV terms and development of virus-based expression vectors for other citrus improvement needs. In conclusion, this research program has accomplished two main interconnected missions, the collection of basic information on the molecular and biological characteristics of the virus and its associated dRNAs toward development of management strategies against severe diseases caused by the virus and building of novel research tools to improve citrus varieties. Reaching these goals will allow us to advance this project to a new phase of turning the virus from a pathogen to an ally.
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Ullman, Diane E., Benjamin Raccah, John Sherwood, Meir Klein, Yehezkiel Antignus, and Abed Gera. Tomato Spotted Wilt Tosporvirus and its Thrips Vectors: Epidemiology, Insect/Virus Interactions and Control. United States Department of Agriculture, November 1999. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/1999.7573062.bard.
Full textAbstract:
Objectives. The major aim of the proposed research was to study thrips-TSWV relationships and their role in the epidemiology of the virus with the aim of using this knowledge to reduce crop losses occurring due to epidemics. Our specific objectives were: To determine the major factors involved in virus outbreaks, including: a) identifying the thrips species involved in virus dissemination and their relative role in virus spread; b) determining the virus sources among wild and cultivated plants throughout the season and their role in virus spread, and, c) determining how temperature and molecular variations in isolates impact virus replication in plants and insects and impact the transmission cycle. Background to the topic. Tospoviruses are among the most important emerging plant viruses that impact production of agricultural and ornamental crops. Evolution of tospoviruses and their relationships with thrips vector species have been of great interest because of crop damage caused world wide and the complete absence of suitable methods of control. Tospoviruses threaten crops in Israel and the United States. By understanding the factors contributing to epidemics and the specific relationships between thrips species and particular tospoviruses we hope that new strategies for control can be developed that will benefit agriculture in both Israel and the United States. Major conclusions, solutions, achievements. We determined that at least three tospoviruses were involved in epidemics in Israel and the United States, tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) and iris yellow spot virus (IYSV). We detected and characterized INSV for the first time in Israel and, through our efforts, IYSV was detected and characterized for the first time in both countries. We demonstrated that many thrips species were present in commercial production areas and trap color influenced thrips catch. Frankliniella occidentalis was the major vector species of INSV and TSWV and populations varied in transmission efficiency. Thrips tabaci is the sole known vector of IYSV and experiments in both countries indicated that F. occidentalis is not a vector of this new tospovirus. Alternate plant hosts were identified for each virus. A new monitoring system combining sticky cards and petunia indicator plants was developed to identify sources of infective thrips. This system has been highly successful in the U.S. and was used to demonstrate to growers that removal of plant sources of infective thrips has a dramatic impact on virus incidence. Finally, a putative thrips receptor mediating acquisition of TSWV was discovered. Implications, scientific and agricultural. Our findings have contributed to new control measures that will benefit agriculture. Identification of a putative thrips receptor for TSWV and our findings relative to thrips/tospovirus specificity have implications for development of innovative new control strategies.
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Whitham, Steven A., Amit Gal-On, and Tzahi Arazi. Functional analysis of virus and host components that mediate potyvirus-induced diseases. United States Department of Agriculture, March 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2008.7591732.bard.
Full textAbstract:
The mechanisms underlying the development of symptoms in response to virus infection remain to be discovered in plants. Insight into symptoms induced by potyviruses comes from evidence implicating the potyviral HC-Pro protein in symptom development. In particular, recent studies link the development of symptoms in infected plants to HC-Pro's ability to interfere with small RNA metabolism and function in plant hosts. Moreover, mutation of the highly conserved FRNK amino acid motif to FINK in the HC-Pro of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) converts a severe strain into an asymptomatic strain, but does not affect virus accumulation in cucurbit hosts. The ability of this FINK mutation to uncouple symptoms from virus accumulation creates a unique opportunity to study symptom etiology, which is usually confounded by simultaneous attenuation of both symptoms and virus accumulation. Our goal was to determine how mutations in the conserved FRNK motif affect host responses to potyvirus infection in cucurbits and Arabidopsis thaliana. Our first objective was to define those amino acids in the FRNK motif that are required for symptoms by mutating the FRNK motif in ZYMV and Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV). Symptom expression and accumulation of resulting mutant viruses in cucurbits and Arabidopsis was determined. Our second objective was to identify plant genes associated with virus disease symptoms by profiling gene expression in cucurbits and Arabidopsis in response to mutant and wild type ZYMV and TuMV, respectively. Genes from the two host species that are differentially expressed led us to focus on a subset of genes that are expected to be involved in symptom expression. Our third objective was to determine the functions of small RNA species in response to mutant and wild type HC-Pro protein expression by monitoring the accumulation of small RNAs and their targets in Arabidopsis and cucurbit plants infected with wild type and mutant TuMV and ZYMV, respectively. We have found that the maintenance of the charge of the amino acids in the FRNK motif of HC-Pro is required for symptom expression. Reduced charge (FRNA, FRNL) lessen virus symptoms, and maintain the suppression of RNA silencing. The FRNK motif is involved in binding of small RNA species including microRNAs (miRNA) and short interfering RNAs (siRNA). This binding activity mediated by the FRNK motif has a role in protecting the viral genome from degradation by the host RNA silencing system. However, it also provides a mechanism by which the FRNK motif participates in inducing the symptoms of viral infection. Small RNA species, such as miRNA and siRNA, can regulate the functions of plant genes that affect plant growth and development. Thus, this binding activity suggests a mechanism by which ZYMVHC-Pro can interfere with plant development resulting in disease symptoms. Because the host genes regulated by small RNAs are known, we have identified candidate host genes that are expected to play a role in symptoms when their regulation is disrupted during viral infections. As a result of this work, we have a better understanding of the FRNK amino acid motif of HC-Pro and its contribution to the functions of HC-Pro, and we have identified plant genes that potentially contribute to symptoms of virus infected plants when their expression becomes misregulated during potyviral infections. The results set the stage to establish the roles of specific host genes in viral pathogenicity. The potential benefits include the development of novel strategies for controlling diseases caused by viruses, methods to ensure stable expression of transgenes in genetically improved crops, and improved potyvirus vectors for expression of proteins or peptides in plants.
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Dawson, William O., and Moshe Bar-Joseph. Creating an Ally from an Adversary: Genetic Manipulation of Citrus Tristeza. United States Department of Agriculture, January 2004. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2004.7586540.bard.
Full textAbstract:
Citrus is one of the major agricultural crops common to Israel and the United States, important in terms of nutrition, foreign exchange, and employment. The economy of both citrus industries have been chronically plagued by diseases caused by Citrus tristeza virus (CTV). The short term solution until virus-resistant plants can be used is the use of mild strain cross-protection. We are custom designing "ideal" protecting viruses to immunize trees against severe isolates of CTV by purposely inoculating existing endangered trees and new plantings to be propagated as infected (protected) citrus budwood. We crossed the substantial technological hurdles necessary to accomplish this task which included developing an infectious cDNA clone which allows in vitro manipulation of the virus and methods to then infect citrus plants. We created a series of hybrids between decline-inducing and mild CTV strains, tested them in protoplasts, and are amplifying them to inoculate citrus trees for evaluation and mapping of disease determinants. We also extended this developed technology to begin engineering transient expression vectors based on CTV as tools for genetic improvement of tree crops, in this case citrus. Because of the long periods between genetic transformation and the ultimate assay of mature tree characteristics, there is a great need for an effective system that allows the expression or suppression of target genes in fruiting plants. Virus-based vectors will greatly expedite progress in citrus genetic improvement. We characterized several components of the virus that provides necessary information for designing virus-based vectors. We characterized the requirements of the 3 ’-nontranslated replication promoter and two 3 ’-ORF subgenomic (sg) mRNA controller elements. We discovered a novel type of 5’-terminal sgRNAs and characterized the cis-acting control element that also functions as a strong promoter of a 3 ’-sgRNA. We showed that the p23 gene controls negative-stranded RNA synthesis and expression of 3 ’ genes. We identified which genes are required for infection of plants, which are host range determinants, and which are not needed for plant infection. We continued the characterization of native dRNA populations and showed the presence of five different classes including class III dRNAs that consists of infectious and self-replicating molecules and class V dRNAs that contain all of the 3 ’ ORFs, along with class IV dRNAs that retain non-contiguous internal sequences. We have constructed and tested in protoplasts a series of expression vectors that will be described in this proposal.
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Klement, Eyal, Elizabeth Howerth, William C. Wilson, David Stallknecht, Danny Mead, Hagai Yadin, Itamar Lensky, and Nadav Galon. Exploration of the Epidemiology of a Newly Emerging Cattle-Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus in Israel. United States Department of Agriculture, January 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2012.7697118.bard.
Full textAbstract:
In September 2006 an outbreak of 'Bluetongue like' disease struck the cattle herds in Israel. Over 100 dairy and beef cattle herds were affected. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) (an Orbivirusclosely related to bluetongue virus (BTV)), was isolated from samples collected from several herds during the outbreaks. Following are the aims of the study and summary of the results: which up until now were published in 6 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Three more articles are still under preparation: 1. To identify the origin of the virus: The virus identified was fully sequenced and compared with the sequences available in the GenBank. It appeared that while gene segment L2 was clustered with EHDV-7 isolated in Australia, most of the other segments were clustered with EHDV-6 isolates from South-Africa and Bahrain. This may suggest that the strain which affected Israel on 2006 may have been related to similar outbreaks which occurred in north-Africa at the same year and could also be a result of reassortment with an Australian strain (Wilson et al. article in preparation). Analysis of the serological results from Israel demonstrated that cows and calves were similarly positive as opposed to BTV for which seropositivity in cows was significantly higher than in calves. This finding also supports the hypothesis that the 2006 EHD outbreak in Israel was an incursive event and the virus was not present in Israel before this outbreak (Kedmi et al. Veterinary Journal, 2011) 2. To identify the vectors of this virus: In the US, Culicoides sonorensis was found as an efficient vector of EHDV as the virus was transmitted by midges fed on infected white tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileusvirginianus) to susceptible WTD (Ruder et al. Parasites and Vectors, 2012). We also examined the effect of temperature on replication of EHDV-7 in C. sonorensis and demonstrated that the time to detection of potentially competent midges decreased with increasing temperature (Ruder et al. in preparation). Although multiple attempts were made, we failed to evaluate wild-caught Culicoidesinsignisas a potential vector for EHDV-7; however, our finding that C. sonorensis is a competent vector is far more significant because this species is widespread in the U.S. As for Israeli Culicoides spp. the main species caught near farms affected during the outbreaks were C. imicolaand C. oxystoma. The vector competence studies performed in Israel were in a smaller scale than in the US due to lack of a laboratory colony of these species and due to lack of facilities to infect animals with vector borne diseases. However, we found both species to be susceptible for infection by EHDV. For C. oxystoma, 1/3 of the Culicoidesinfected were positive 11 days post feeding. 3. To identify the host and environmental factors influencing the level of exposure to EHDV, its spread and its associated morbidity: Analysis of the cattle morbidity in Israel showed that the disease resulted in an average loss of over 200 kg milk per cow in herds affected during September 2006 and 1.42% excess mortality in heavily infected herds (Kedmi et al. Journal of Dairy Science, 2010). Outbreak investigation showed that winds played a significant role in virus spread during the 2006 outbreak (Kedmi et al. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2010). Further studies showed that both sheep (Kedmi et al. Veterinary Microbiology, 2011) and wild ruminants did not play a significant role in virus spread in Israel (Kedmi et al. article in preparation). Clinical studies in WTD showed that this species is highly susceptibile to EHDV-7 infection and disease (Ruder et al. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 2012). Experimental infection of Holstein cattle (cows and calves) yielded subclinical viremia (Ruder et al. in preparation). The findings of this study, which resulted in 6 articles, published in peer reviewed journals and 4 more articles which are in preparation, contributed to the dairy industry in Israel by defining the main factors associated with disease spread and assessment of disease impact. In the US, we demonstrated that sufficient conditions exist for potential virus establishment if EHDV-7 were introduced. The significant knowledge gained through this study will enable better decision making regarding prevention and control measures for EHDV and similar viruses, such as BTV.
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Whitham, Steven A., Amit Gal-On, and Victor Gaba. Post-transcriptional Regulation of Host Genes Involved with Symptom Expression in Potyviral Infections. United States Department of Agriculture, June 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2012.7593391.bard.
Full textAbstract:
Understanding how RNA viruses cause disease symptoms in their hosts is expected to provide information that can be exploited to enhance modern agriculture. The helper component-proteinase (HC-Pro) protein of potyviruses has been implicated in symptom development. Previously, we demonstrated that symptom expression is associated with binding of duplex small-interfering-RNA (duplex-siRNA) to a highly conserved FRNK amino acid motif in the HC-Pro of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV). This binding activity also alters host microRNA (miRNA) profiles. In Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), which infects the model plant Arabidopsis, mutation of the FRNK motif to FINK was lethal providing further indication of the importance of this motif to HC-Pro function. In this continuation project, our goal was to further investigate how ZYMV and TuMV cause the mis-expression of genes in cucurbits and Arabidopsis, respectively, and to correlate altered gene expression with disease symptoms. Objective 1 was to examine the roles of aromatic and positively charged residues F164RNH and K215RLF adjacent to FR180NK in small RNA binding. Objective 2 was to determine the target genes of the miRNAs which change during HC-Pro expression in infected tissues and transgenic cucumber. Objective 3 was to characterize RNA silencing mechanisms underlying differential expression of host genes. Objective 4 was to analyze the function of miRNA target genes and differentially expressed genes in potyvirus-infected tissues. We found that the charged K/R amino acid residues in the FKNH and KRLF motifs are essential for virus viability. Replacement of K to I in FKNH disrupted duplex-siRNA binding and virus infectivity, while in KRLF mutants duplex-siRNA binding was maintained and virus infectivity was limited: symptomless following a recovery phenomenon. These findings expanded the duplex-siRNA binding activity of HC-Pro to include the adjacent FRNK and FRNH sites. ZYMV causes many squash miRNAs to hyper-accumulate such as miR166, miR390, mir168, and many others. Screening of mir target genes showed that only INCURVATA-4 and PHAVOLUTA were significantly upregulated following ZYMVFRNK infection. Supporting this finding, we found similar developmental symptoms in transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing P1-HC-Pro of a range of potyviruses to those observed in miR166 mutants. We characterized increased transcription of AGO1 in response to infection with both ZYMV strains. Differences in viral siRNA profiles and accumulation between mild and severe virus infections were characterized by Illumina sequencing, probably due to the differences in HC-Pro binding activity. We determined that the TuMV FINK mutant could accumulate and cause symptoms in dcl2 dcl4 or dcl2 dcl3 dcl4 mutants similar to TuMV FRNK in wild type Arabidopsis plants. These dcl mutant plants are defective in antiviral defenses, and the results show that factors other than HC-ProFRNK motif can induce symptoms in virus-infected plants. As a result of this work, we have a better understanding of the FRNK and FKNH amino acid motifs of HC-Pro and their contributions to the duplex-siRNA binding functions. We have identified plant genes that potentially contribute to infectivity and symptoms of virus infected plants when they are mis-expressed during potyviral infections. The results establish that there are multiple underlying molecular mechanisms that lead viral pathogenicity, some dependent on HC-Pro. The potential benefits include the development of novel strategies for controlling diseases caused by viruses, methods to ensure stable expression of transgenes in genetically improved crops, and improved potyvirus vectors for expression of proteins or peptides in plants.