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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Trop Med Hyg / Avian host preference by vectors of eastern equine encephalo...
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene2004; 69(6); 641-647;

Avian host preference by vectors of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus.

Abstract: An important variable in the amplification and escape from the enzootic cycle of the arboviral encephalitides is the degree of contact between avian hosts and mosquito vectors. To analyze this interaction in detail, blood-fed mosquitoes that were confirmed vectors of eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus were collected in 2002 from an enzootic site in central Alabama during the time this virus was actively transmitted. Avian-derived blood meals were identified to the species level of the host, and the proportion derived from each species was compared with the overall composition of the avifauna at the study site. The EEE vector mosquito species fed significantly more on some bird species and less on other species than expected given the overall abundance, biomass, or surface area of the local avifauna. When viewed collectively, these data suggest that these mosquitoes are selectively targeting particular avian species.
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Publication Date: 2004-01-27 PubMed ID: 14740882
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper discusses the feeding behavior of mosquito vectors carrying the Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus towards different bird species, showing a preferential pattern rather than being random or proportional to bird species abundance.

Consumption Behavior of Mosquito Vectors

  • The researchers gathered blood-fed mosquitoes in 2002 that were confirmed vectors of the EEE virus, during a period when the virus was actively transmitted, from a site in central Alabama known to regularly see cases of the virus.
  • The blood meals of these mosquitoes that derived from birds were identified down to the species level of the host bird. The researchers then compared the proportion of blood meals taken from each bird species to the overall composition of bird species at the study site.

Findings and Observations

  • Results illustrated that the mosquito vectors carrying the EEE virus fed more on certain bird species and less on others than would be expected given the overall bird species’ abundance, biomass, or overall size in the study area.
  • This suggests that the feeding pattern isn’t strictly influenced by bird availability and abundance but rather indicates a focused targeting behavior by the mosquitoes towards certain bird species.

Implications of the Study

  • The finding of this study is essential because it could influence strategies taken to prevent or lessen the spread of the EEE virus. By knowing which bird species are more likely to be bitten by the vector mosquitoes, the distribution and health of these species can be more actively monitored and managed.
  • Moreover, since a mosquito tasting preference for specific avian species could hint on potential factors contributing to the preferential transmission of the EEE virus. This could aid in better modeling the spread of this virus, and even possibly other similar viruses, in bird populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Hassan HK, Cupp EW, Hill GE, Katholi CR, Klingler K, Unnasch TR. (2004). Avian host preference by vectors of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 69(6), 641-647.

Publication

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
ISSN: 0002-9637
NlmUniqueID: 0370507
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 69
Issue: 6
Pages: 641-647

Researcher Affiliations

Hassan, Hassan K
  • Division of Geographic Medicine, and Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.
Cupp, Eddie W
    Hill, Geoffrey E
      Katholi, Charles R
        Klingler, Kimberly
          Unnasch, Thomas R

            MeSH Terms

            • Alabama
            • Animals
            • Birds / classification
            • Birds / virology
            • Culicidae / classification
            • Culicidae / virology
            • DNA Primers
            • DNA, Viral / analysis
            • DNA, Viral / blood
            • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / genetics
            • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / isolation & purification
            • Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / transmission
            • Humans
            • Insect Vectors / classification
            • Insect Vectors / virology
            • Polymerase Chain Reaction

            Grant Funding

            • R01 AI049724 / NIAID NIH HHS
            • R01 AI049724-04 / NIAID NIH HHS
            • R01-AI49724 / NIAID NIH HHS

            Citations

            This article has been cited 51 times.
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