A5002352408- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Malaria Research and Control
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Public Health Policies and Education
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Neutropenia and Cancer Infections
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
2015-2024
Vector (United States)
2014-2023
Seoul Metropolitan Government
2020
Seoul National University
2020
Boramae Medical Center
2020
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
2017
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
2017
University of California, Irvine
2017
Mercer County Mosquito Control
2016
Rutgers Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
2013
Although anthropogenic impacts are often considered harmful to species, human modifications the landscape can actually create novel niches which other species adapt. These "domestication" processes especially important in context of arthropod disease vectors, where ecological overlap vector and populations may lead epidemics. Here, we present results a global genetic study one such dengue yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, whose evolutionary history current distribution have been...
We report the discovery of large numbers Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Ixodida: Ixodidae) infesting a sheep in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. All life stages were found on sheep, which had no history travel outside country. H. is native to East Asia, and there are invasive populations Australia, Zealand several Pacific islands, where this tick major livestock pest. It currently unknown whether Jersey collections represent limited or established population, but because...
Haemaphysalis longicornis is a tick indigenous to eastern Asia and an important vector of human animal disease agents, resulting in such outcomes as hemorrhagic fever reduction production dairy cattle by 25%. H. was discovered on sheep New Jersey August 2017 (1). This the first detection United States outside quarantine. In spring 2018, again detected at index site, later, other counties Jersey, seven states States, Arkansas. The hosts included six species domestic animals, wildlife, humans....
Background Aedes albopictus is an invasive species which continues expanding its geographic range and involvement in mosquito-borne diseases such as chikungunya dengue. Host selection patterns by mosquitoes are critically important because they increase endemic disease transmission drive outbreaks of exotic pathogens. Traditionally, Ae. has been characterized opportunistic feeder, primarily feeding on mammalian hosts but occasionally acquiring blood from avian sources well. However, limited...
Until recently, only two haemaphysaline species, Haemaphysalischordeilis (Packard, 1869) and Haemaphysalisleporispalustris 1869), were known to occur in the United States, neither was considered be of significant medical or veterinary importance. In 2017–2018 established populations Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalislongicornis Neumann, 1901, detected eastern US for first time. has potential a threat human animal health, urgent need determine full extent its distribution host range...
Abstract Haemaphysalis longicornis, an invasive Ixodid tick, was recently reported in the eastern United States. The emergence of these ticks represents a potential threat for livestock, wildlife, and human health. We describe distribution, host-seeking phenology, host habitat associations on Staten Island, New York, borough York City.
Abstract Established populations of Asian longhorned ticks (ALT), Haemaphysalis longicornis , were first identified in the United States (US) 2017 by sequencing mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( cox1 ) ‘barcoding’ locus followed morphological confirmation. Subsequent investigations detected ALT infestations 12, mostly eastern, US states. To gain information on origin and spread ALT, we (1) sequenced from across 9 states (2) obtained sequences potential source [China, Japan...
Amblyomma americanum L. is an important vector in North America originally described by Linnaeus based on Pehr Kalm's 1754 report. While 'Travels into America' well known, his report remains obscure. Some authors were skeptical that Kalm referred to A. because he encountered them at sites farther north outside of the species' range. However, details leave no doubt lone star ticks. In this historical review, we provide support for identification using a modern translation and other sources....
We present the case summary of first human recognized to have been bitten by Haemaphysalis longicornis tick in United States, which occurred New York State. Subsequent field studies confirmed that this was multiple geographic locations near patient's residence, including on manicured lawns.
Temperate urban landscapes support persistent and growing populations of Culex Aedes mosquito vectors. Large can represent a significant risk for transmission emergent arboviral infection. However, even large are only to the animals they bite. The purpose this study is identify assess spatial patterns host-use in temperate landscape with heterogeneous socio-economic ecological conditions. Mosquito blood meals were collected from neighborhoods categorized along gradient Baltimore, MD, USA....
As human cases of tick-borne disease continue to increase, there is a heightened imperative collect data on human-tick encounters inform prevention. Passive tick surveillance programs that encourage members the public submit ticks they have encountered can provide relatively low-cost means collecting such data. We report results 11 years submissions (2006-2016) collected in Monmouth County, New Jersey, an Atlantic coastal county long endemic for Lyme disease. A total 8,608 acquired 22 U.S....
The doublesex (dsx) gene functions as a molecular switch at the base of insect sex determination cascade, and triggers male or female somatic sexual differentiation in Drosophila. Having been reported from only seven current orders, exact phylogenetic distribution dsx within largest Arthropod sub-phylum, Hexapoda, is unknown. To understand evolution this integral relative to other arthropods, we tested for presence public EST genome sequencing projects representative all 32 hexapod orders....
Not all exotic species establish and expand aggressively (i.e. become invasive). As potential vectors of disease agents, invasive mosquitoes can have considerable impact on public health, livestock wildlife; therefore, understanding the characteristics ecological circumstances promoting their invasiveness is important. The mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus, originally from north-east Asia, was introduced at least two separate times to north-eastern USA, as surmised initial existence...
Projected impacts of climate change on vector-borne disease dynamics must consider many variables relevant to hosts, vectors and pathogens, including how altered environmental characteristics might affect the spatial distributions vector species. However, predictive models for their habitat requirements be fixed over time-scales, when they may actually capable rapid evolutionary even adaptation. We examine genetic signature a expansion by an invasive into locations with novel temperature...
The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is a vector of Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E. ewingii, causal agents human ehrlichiosis, has demonstrated marked geographic expansion in recent years.A. americanum ticks often outnumber the Lyme disease, Ixodes scapularis, where both are sympatric, yet cases disease far exceed ehrlichiosis cases.We quantified risk for Relative Risk Ehrlichiosis Disease an Area Where Vectors Both Are Sympatric, New Jersey, USA
Despite the rising incidence of tick-borne diseases (TBD) in northeastern United States (US), information and expertise needed to assess risk, inform public respond proactively is highly variable across states. Standardized well-designed tick surveillance by trained personnel can facilitate development useful risk maps help target resources, but requires nontrivial start-up costs. To address this challenge, we tested whether existing New Jersey’s 21 county mosquito control agencies could be...
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is a vector of multiple arboviral and bacterial pathogens in its native East Asia expanded distribution Australasia. This species has both bisexual parthenogenetic populations that can reach high population densities under favorable conditions. Established H. longicornis were detected the eastern United States 2017 possible range this at continental level (North America) based on climatic conditions been modeled. However, little known...
Abstract Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum L.) are expanding within the northeast United States, a region historically focused on Ixodes scapularis-transmitted diseases. In Monmouth County, NJ, shift has been dramatic, and lone now vastly outnumber blacklegged ticks. As result, there is an enhanced need to focus potential health risks of A. americanum-transmitted pathogens, such as emerging Heartland (HRTV) Bourbon (BRBV) viruses. We screened 1,205 nymphal for HRTV BRBV using RT-qPCR...
Abstract A total of 2,504 ticks 5 species (Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variabilis, Amblyomma americanum, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, and H. longicornis) were collected over 2 yr (2014–2015) in New York City parks. Specimens via tick-dragging, identified to species, tested for pathogens human diseases. The causative agents diseases (Lyme borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever) detected a subset samples. Results this surveillance effort further...
The doublesex gene controls somatic sexual differentiation of many metazoan species, including the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae and dengue yellow fever vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). As in other studied dipteran dsx homologs, maintains functionality via evolutionarily conserved protein domains sex-specific alternative splicing. upstream factors that regulate splicing manner which they do so however remain variable even among closely related organisms. induction sex ratio...
Tick-borne diseases are a growing public health problem in the United States, and US northeast has reported consistently high case rates for decades. Monmouth County, New Jersey, was one of earliest jurisdictions to report Lyme disease cases 1979 reports several hundred per year nearly 40 yr later. In time since, however, tick-borne risks have expanded far beyond include variety other bacterial pathogens viruses, additional vectors, necessitating continually evolving approach tick...