A5018993386- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
University of Antwerp
2012-2024
While numerous studies have reported negative effects of urbanisation on birds, few examined the role urban scale in influencing breeding success. Furthermore, many relied qualitative rather than quantitative assessments urbanisation. This study sought to address these issues by testing urbanisation, measured at two spatial scales, success great tits Parus major . A nested design, incorporating over 400 nestboxes, was used sites across northern Belgium with a priori quantified degrees both...
SARS-CoV-2 human-to-animal transmission can lead to the establishment of novel reservoirs and evolution new variants with potential start outbreaks in humans. We tested Norway rats inhabiting sewer system Antwerp, Belgium, for presence following a local COVID-19 epidemic peak. In addition, we discuss use interpretation serological tests on non-human samples. Between November December 2020, rat oral swabs, faeces tissues from Antwerp were collected be by RT-qPCR SARS-CoV-2. Serum samples...
Bird-specific ticks do not infest humans and livestock, but these often share their avian hosts with generalist that do. Therefore, feeding activity may have an impact on the transmission of pathogens outside bird-tick cycles. Here we examined seasonal tree-hole tick (Ixodes arboricola) in relation to its hole-breeding (Parus major Cyanistes caeruleus). We analysed data derived from birds, abundance engorged inside nest boxes, bird nests were experimentally exposed ticks. observed a...
SUMMARY Parasites exposed to fast-developing hosts experience a variety of conditions over short time period. Only few studies in vertebrate-ectoparasite systems have integrated the timing ectoparasite infestations host's development into search for factors explaining burden. In this study we examined temporal pattern attachment nidicolous tick ( Ixodes arboricola ) throughout songbird Parus major ). first experiment, bird clutches at hatching mix 3 instars (larvae, nymphs and adults),...
Little is known about the intraspecific variation of parasite life-history traits and how this may affect fitness evolution. We investigated predict success individual tree-hole ticks Ixodes arboricola estimated their evolutionary potential, as well genetic correlations within stages phenotypic across stages. Ticks were followed individually over two generations while allowed to feed on great tits Parus major. After accounting for host tick maternal effects, we found that short feeding times...
A crucial factor to predict the persistence and spread of infections in natural systems is capacity reservoir hosts maintain infection transmit it others. This known greatly vary within between species through time, although latter part variation often less well understood. Here we describe evaluate a methodology quantify infectiousness for tick-borne pathogens individual wild animals by means xenodiagnoses, involving captures recaptures targeted individuals infesting them with pathogen-free...
A crucial factor to predict the persistence and spread of infections in natural systems is capacity reservoir hosts maintain infection transmit it others. This known greatly vary within between species through time, although latter part variation often less well understood wild.
Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 human-to-animal transmission can lead to the establishment of novel reservoirs and evolution new variants with potential start outbreaks in humans. Aim We tested Norway rats inhabiting sewer system Antwerp, Belgium, for presence following a local COVID-19 epidemic peak. In addition, we discuss use interpretation serological tests on non-human samples. Methods Between November December 2020, rat oral swabs, feces tissues from Antwerp were collected be by RT-qPCR...