Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Administrative Advisor’s Comments: Dr. Andreadis stated the importance of interdependently interacting with other states, developing concrete collaborative projects.

Dr. Andreadis reminded participants that it is important to formally sign up at the NIMSS site. Participants can include industrial, government and university participants.

Projects are to have one meeting per year. Typically meetings last 1.5 days. Meeting minutes are posted (send to Ruby). An annual report is due within 60 days of the meeting, which includes impact statements.

It is important that project-funded research is acknowledged in the resulting publications.

Based on availability of researchers on phone, we started with sequential discussion of Aims 3, 2, 1, 4 and 5.

Aim 3: Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, with a focus on surveillance, range expansion, ecology, genetics, climate change and disease risk.

Discussion included Laura Harrington’s points of Ae. Albopictus range expansion, modeling ChikV in the USA, and potential interventions. Dina Fonseca and Peter Armbruster are working on evolutionary effects of temperature and models of insecticide intervention.

Action Items: A suggestion was made that an Aim 3 goal might be to develop a Fact Sheet. Other action items are: email lists and Aim 3-focused conference calls.

Aim 2: Integrated tick management and community-centered approaches, including understanding the biology and ecology of novel and emerging tick-borne pathogens.

Discussion-novel pathogens, high throughput assays (metagenomics technology, microbiome work), climate change effect on tick distribution, mammalian hosts, variation across time and space, role of national zoo and identification of ticks, presence of filarial nematodes in ticks which are tick specific.

Need to address variation in the system and variation in technique. The group focused on coming up with a standardized method to analyze prevalence of pathogens.

There is interest in EEE virus. Discussion included Culiseta melanura is involved in transmission to humans.

Action items: Standardized Detection Methods-materials for screening and extraction methods. Once done, publish it to the research community. Jason Rasgon will send an email out to the Obj 2 group.

Aim 1: Development of parasitic and arthropod catalogue/resources.

Discussion-USDA labs in Gainesville, Manhattan for resources, working panel at NIH to set up centralized NIH-funded resources for livestock, vets, non-human diseases, post colony info on web, nominal price for eggs/larvae, shipping via FEDEX needs permits.

Availability of tick cell lines, strains and transformants of Anaplasma and Babesia could be requested from Dr. Ulrike Munderloh’s MN lab acc. to her postdoc researcher, Dr. Jonathan Oliver.

Aim leaders communicating with the BEI resource center.

Action items: None identified.

Aim 4: New Control Tools, including socio-ecological approaches.

Discussion of developing a catalog of control tools, discussion on Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), thermal foggers vs larvacides, deliverable item-novel application technology, biological control of ticks, nootkatone for tick controls.

Action items: None identified.

Aim 5: Training and training tools.

Discussion of developing a training tool to train next generation of techs/entomologists, online M.S. courses on med entomology (Univ of Nebraska), target audiences should be Ph.D. postdocs and Abatement districts, good statewide mosquito control in FL and NJ compared to CA, use of technology (3D printer models of mosquitoes for educational purposes), catalog/distribute stuff online, identify and improve better strategies for education, peer review of courses. One member stated: we will be better prepared next year to answer/background research for Obj 5. Another suggestion was to rather develop a brand new course, first make people aware of current ongoing courses, and then possibly develop online offerings.

Action items: Compile a list of current training course, including their locations, foci etc. Paul Leisnham will set up an editable cloud document for people to add information.

Discussion of Leadership for 2015-2016, Chair and Objective Leaders.

Dr. Andreadis stated that for continuum from administrative standpoint, Chair leadership should be for 2 years. Dr. Dobson was re-elected Chair. There will be a discussion at next year’s meeting for next chairmanship and we should have a nomination next year before the annual meeting.

Discussion of 2016 Annual Meeting site, dates, venue and agenda.
AMCA next year in Savannah, GA. Important to get people to participate at a day-day and half meeting. We will investigate holding the annual meeting at the Anastasia Mosquito Control District facility at St. Augustine, FL (host Dr. Rui-De Xue). Maybe have outdoor field trips, plenary speaker, use Dropbox for contact and general information.

Meeting adjourned at 5pm.

Special Thanks to Dan Strickman and Vida Irani for recording minutes of the meeting!

Aim 1

The aim of this project is to support and promote available resources such as the BEI Resources established by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for human pathogens and to identify alternative sources for vector resources beyond those found in BEI. The main objective is to support, promote, and enlarge the BEI resource for pathogens and vectors of human disease to include the identification and development of alternative resources that can be used to facilitate the study of arthropod vectors and arthropod-borne zoonotic disease agents of human and animal health importance.

During the first year of this effort, discussions have been held with Dr. Shirley Luckhart and Dr. Adriana Costerno of BEI resources to identify areas of collaboration and agriculturally important resources not supported by BEI. An initial catalogue of agriculturally important vector resources has been compiled to include more than 70 strains of mosquitoes, mosquito cell lines, muscoid flies, sand flies, sand fly cell lines, culicoides and culicoides cell lines, ticks and tick cell lines. Each listing contains detailed information on each strain such as origins, contributors, availability etc. Contributing institutions included USDA-ARS (Gainesville FL; Kerrville TX, Manhattan KS) and the University of Minnesota (Munderloh & Kurtti). Information from additional institutions will be solicited and added to the catalogue over the next year.

Aim 2

There is an urgent need for standardization of testing methods for tick-borne pathogens including, Borrelia burdurferi (Lyme disease or Borreliosis agent), Babesia microti (Babesiosis agent), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Anaplasmosis agent) in ticks. This is particularly important for comparing results of studies conducted in various regions, for better understanding of the epidemiology of tick-associated diseases, for assessing the efficacy of tick control measures in reducing tick abundance and prevalence of infection with pathogens, and for evaluating and reviewing scientific works and technical reports. Multiple collaborative efforts were proposed regarding Aim 2. These include:

1. Some contributors mentioned that they had difficulty in preserving the quality of extracted tick DNA for later diagnostic tests. This led to a discussion of establishing standardized protocols for tick extraction and common pathogen PCR protocols. It can be difficult for new experimenters to determine what published protocols will work accurately and consistently. Having standardized protocols established which are known to work consistently may produce more reliable results in this field. In our experience, we find the Qiagen Blood and Tissue DNA extraction kits together with pre-washing and dissecting ticks produces DNA that does not rapidly degrade. In the future, we are willing to contribute a consolidated list of the primer sets and thermocycler recipes our laboratory uses for detection of tick-borne pathogens. It was discussed that 2-3 labs could be identified to evaluate and compare some of the commonly used methods in tick testing, and identify few methods that are reliable and produce comparable results. Findings of this effort could be presented to the CDC and other related agencies and published as a guideline for researchers and public health agencies.
2. Dr. Goudarz Molaei of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station demonstrated interest in acquiring some of our tick cell lines and pathogen strains. Follow-up telephone and email conversation have continued to solidify this exchange of materials.
3. Overlapping with Aim 1, we provided Jimmy Becnel with a list of the tick cell lines we have made available to other researchers. This is for his compilation of resources available for arthropod-borne disease of veterinary significance. It was decided that actual pathogenic organisms would not be included in this list at this time, but may be added later.

Aim 3

Members have held several discussions to further develop collaborative projects for Objective 3. The group will begin with the development of a simulation model for chikungunya virus outbreaks transmitted by Ae. Aegypti and Ae. Albopictus and public health interventions in the USA. In addition, work is planned on evolutionary effects of temperature and models of insecticide interventions on Ae. Albopictus. Collaborators on this objective also plan to develop of a fact sheet on these two important disease vectors.

At MSU (M. Kaufman), participants continued their monitoring of mosquito-associated arboviruses in Michigan during June – September of 2014. Over 3,000 pools of mosquitoes collected from different areas in lower Michigan were assessed for the presence of West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), or La Crosse Encephalitis (LAC) using RT-PCR techniques. Based on targeted surveillance for WNV vectors, most tested pools (~2500) were Culex spp. (Cx. Restuans and Cx. Pipiens). Approximately 170 pools of Coquillettidia perturbans were tested for EEE, and ca 560 pools of Aedes triseriatus and Ae. Japonicas were tested for LAC. Even though only a few human or animal cases of WNV or EEE were reported in Michigan in 2014, and no cases of SLE or LAC, WNV was found in 7 pools of Culex spp. and LAC was found in one pool of Ae. Triseriatus. We consider these data important baseline information in years of low human disease activity and will continue to monitor these areas on a yearly basis as well as expand surveillance throughout Michigan in order to better predict arboviral disease incidence and to help dictate mosquito control activities.

Aim 4

A broad based approach to new toxicant discovery includes screening of compounds derived from natural products and evaluation of registered compounds for mosquitocidal activity. In addition, we are exploring gene silencing using RNAi technology as a method to knock down critical proteins in adult and larval mosquitoes with possible applications for control. (Becnel, Estep ARS-Gainesville, Fl).

Microsporidian parasites are known to infect many mosquitoes worldwide, but fundamental knowledge on the genomes of mosquito microsporidia and host-pathogen interactions are poorly known. Researchers at ARS in Gainesville together with collaborators at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge have conducted genomic and deep sequencing investigations and analysis on the genomes of two species of microsporidia (Edhazardia aedis and Vavraia culicis) and the mosquito immune response to infection. This analysis illuminates fundamentally different evolutionary paths and host interplay of specialist and generalist pathogens. The new information obtained here contributes to our basic understanding on the organization of the genomes of these parasites and will be incorporated into the Eukaryotic Pathogen Database Resource EupathDB (http://eupathdb.org/eupathdb/) and specifically the Microsporidia Genome Resource MicrosporidiaDB (http://microsporidiadb.org/micro/). (Becnel, ARS-Gainesville, Fl).

Aim 5

The development of effective training approaches and tools will help equip an interactive network of young entomologists and technicians to manage vector-borne disease outbreaks now and in the future. This project has started to compile a comprehensive nationwide database of existing courses and tools related to mosquito and tick vectors. This database will elucidate educational strengths and weakness across the field, and identify specific areas for future activities and tool development. It will encourage constructive peer review of courses, as well as identify and improve better strategies for education and outreach. The project team anticipates the need to train vector-control professionals and students at incorporating rapidly moving technology into their research, control, and outreach activities (e.g., next generation chemicals, 3D printer educational mosquito models, sociological approaches). The database will also inform the development of a position paper on training the next generation of scientists within the field that will accomplished in subsequent project years. At the conclusion of this project, both the position paper and the database will be shared with scientific and professional communities for comment, and ongoing revisions and improvements. These activities will widen the reach of effective science-based information available to vector control professionals and students, and encourage the widespread adoption of sustainable mosquito and disease management.

At MSU (M. Kaufman), participants responded to requests from health workers and students: We participated in the development of training workshops administered by the Michigan Department of Community Health that covered mosquito surveillance and testing techniques, and we developed an new field course designed to cover basic vector ecology and vector borne disease system monitoring. The workshops targeted county health workers who were initiating surveillance for WNV and included trapping techniques and mosquito identification. Importantly, this training also stressed the need to recognize invasive species such as Aedes albopictus, which are not yet established in Michigan. The workshops were attended by health officials from several Michigan urban areas where WNV is prevalent and where Ae. Albopictus is likely to first appear. The field course (Ecology of Arthropod Vectors of Disease, through the Entomology Dept. at Michigan State University) was first taught in June 2014 and quickly filled its enrollment limit. This course is unique in our region in that students learn, hands-on, methods in mosquito trapping, tick collection, trapping and handling of disease vector hosts (birds and small mammals) in areas that are endemic to WNV, EEE, and Lyme disease. The course was considered to be highly successful and will be offered every summer at MSU’s W. K. Kellogg Biological station.

Chang, F., Dutta, S., Becnel, J. J., Estep, A. S., and Mark Mascal. 2014. Synthesis of the Insecticide Prothrin and Its Analogues from Biomass-Derived 5-(Chloromethyl) furfural. J. Agric.Food Chem. 62(2), pp. 476-480.

Reid, W. R., Thornton, A., Pridgeon, J., Becnel, J. J., Tang, F., Estep, A., Clark, G.G., and Allan, S.A. 2014. Gene expression analysis of a pyrethroid-resistant strain of Aedes aegypti and functional testing of selected family 4 cytochrome P450 genes. J. Med. Entomol. 51(3): 605-615.

Akdag, K., Kocyigit-Kaymakcioglu, B., Tabanca, N., Ali, A., Estep, A., Becnel, J.J., Khan, I.A. 2014. Synthesis and larvicidal and adult topical activity of some hydrazide-hydrazone derivatives against Aedes aegypti. Marmara pharmaceutical journal; 18 (3); 120-125.

de Carvalho, IMVG; de Queiroz, ATL; de Moraes, RB; Gil, HB; Alves, R; Viviani, ADB; Becnel, JJ; de Araujo-Coutinho, CJPD. (2014). Description of microsporidia in simulids: molecular and morphological characterization of microsporidia in the larvae of Simulium pertinax Kollar (Diptera: Simuliidae). Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 47(5), 624-631.

Chen, Y; Li, J; Li, SX; Zhao, J; Bernier, UR; Becnel, JJ; Agramonte, NM; Cantrell, CL; Wedge, DE. 2014. Identification and characterization of biopesticides from Acorus. Planta medica; 80 (10); 764-764

Santiago Plischuk, Neil Sanscrainte, James J. Becnel & Carlos E. Lange. 2015 Tubulinosema pampeana sp. n. (Microsporidia, Tubulinosematidae), a pathogen of the South American bumble bee Bombus atratus. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 126: 31-42.

Desjardins, C. A., Sanscrainte, N. D., Goldberg, J. M., Heiman, D., Young, S., Zeng, Q., Madhani, H. D., Becnel, J. J., Cuomo, C. 2015. Contrasting host-pathogen interactions and genome evolution in two generalist and specialist microsporidian pathogens of mosquitoes. Nature Communications 6:7121/DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8121.

Andrews ES, Fu Y, Calvitti M, Dobson SL. 2014. Interspecific Transfer of a Wolbachia Infection Into Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Yields a Novel Phenotype Capable of Rescuing a Superinfection. 51(6):1192–98

Bourtzis K, Dobson SL, Xi Z, Rasgon JL, Calvitti M, et al. 2014. Harnessing mosquito-Wolbachia symbiosis for vector and disease control. Acta Tropica. 132 Suppl:S150–63

Schmaedick MA, Koppel AL, Pilotte N, Torres M, Williams SA, et al. 2014. Molecular Xenomonitoring Using Mosquitoes to Map Lymphatic Filariasis after Mass Drug Administration in American Samoa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 8(8):e3087

Slatko B.E, Luck AN, Dobson SL, Foster JM. 2014. Wolbachia endosymbionts and human disease control. Mol Biochem Parasitol. 195(2):88–95

Hamer S. A., A. C. Weghorst, L.D. Auckland, E. B. Roark, O. F. Strey, P. D. Teel, G. L. Hamer. In press. Comparison of DNA and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope-based techniques for tick blood meal analysis. Journal of Medical Entomology.

Boothe E. C., M. C. I. Medeiros, U. D. Kitron, J. D. Brawn, M. O. Ruiz, T. L. Goldberg, E. D. Walker, G. L. Hamer. In press. Identification of avian and hemoparasite DNA in blood-engorged abdomens of Culex pipiens (Diptera; Culicidae) from a West Nile virus epidemic region in suburban Chicago, Illinois. Journal of Medical Entomology.

McKee, E. M., E. D. Walker, T. K. Anderson, U.D. Kitron, J. D. Brawn, B. L. Krebs, C. M. Newman, M. O. Ruiz, R. S. Levine, M. E. Carrington, R. G. McLean, T. L. Goldberg, and G. L. Hamer. In press. West Nile virus antibody decay rate in free-ranging birds. Journal of Wildlife Disease. [PDF]

Krebs, B. L., T. K. Anderson, T. L. Goldberg, G. L. Hamer, U. D. Kitron, C. M. Newman, M. O. Ruiz, E. D. Walker, J. D. Brawn. 2014. Host group formation decreases exposure to vector-borne disease: a field experiment in a ‘hotspot’ of West Nile virus transmission. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 281: 20141586. [PDF]

Medeiros, M. C., J. M. Higashiguchi, T. K. Anderson, U. D. Kitron, E. D. Walker, J. D. Brawn, B. L. Krebs, M. O. Ruiz, T. L. Goldberg, R. E. Ricklefs, G. L. Hamer. 2014. An inverse association between West Nile virus serostatus and avian malaria infection status. Parasites and Vectors. 7:415. [PDF]

Golnar, A. J., M. J. Turell, A. D. LaBeaud, R. C. Kading, G. L. Hamer. 2014. Predicting the mosquito species and vertebrate species involved in the theoretical transmission of Rift Valley fever virus in the United States. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 8:e3163. [PDF]

Hamer G. L., T. K. Anderson, D. J. Donovan, J. D. Brawn, B. L. Krebs, A. M. Gardner, M. O. Ruiz, W. M. Brown, U. D. Kitron, C. M Newman, T. L. Goldberg, E. D. Walker. 2014. Dispersal of adult Culex mosquitoes in an urban West Nile virus hotspot: a mark-capture study incorporating stable isotope enrichment of natural larval habitats. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 8:e2768. [PDF]

Fonseca DM, Kaplan LR, Heiry RA, Strickman D 2015 Density dependent oviposition by female Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) spreads eggs among containers during the summer but accumulates them in the fall. Journal of Medical Entomology in press

Johnson BJ, Fonseca DM 2015 Insecticide resistance alleles in wetland and residential populations of the West Nile virus vector Culex pipiens in New Jersey, USA. Pest Management Science in press