Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus in relation to the avian community of a coastal cedar swamp.
Abstract: Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV) is perpetuated in eastern North America in a mosquito-wild bird maintenance cycle that involves Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) as the principal enzootic vector and passerine birds as the primary amplifying hosts. We examined the role of birds in the EEEV cycle at a site in southern New Jersey where EEEV cycles annually at high levels. Birds and mosquitoes were sampled during three epiornitics and one season of limited virus activity. We examined antibody prevalence in birds in relation to eight physical and natural history characteristics. Our goal was to compare EEEV cycling in C. melanura and the primary avian hosts better to understand the mechanisms that initiate annual epiornitics. Antibody prevalence was highest in the Blue Jay (62%), Wood Thrush (60%), and Tufted Titmouse (44%). Resident status of birds was the natural history characteristic most closely linked to participation in the EEEV cycle. Species spending the greatest amount of time at our study site (permanent residents, summer residents) had the highest antibody rates. We captured viremic birds as early as 25 May, 51 d before we first detected virus in C. melanura. We recaptured 10 after hatching year adults and one hatching year (HY) bird that seroconverted before we detected virus in C. melanura. We also found EEEV antibody in 15 HY birds up to 31 d before we isolated EEEV from C. melanura. We provide evidence that a cryptic cycle develops weeks before epiornitic cycling is detected in C. melanura by traditional laboratory techniques, indicating that the early season cycle is initiated by the recrudescence of latent virus in previously infected birds.
Publication Date: 1994-09-01 PubMed ID: 7966175DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/31.5.711Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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This research examines how the Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV) spreads within bird populations and local mosquitoes in a coastal cedar swamp in southern New Jersey, and its findings highlight the role of birds, particularly permanent and summer resident species, in perpetuating this virus transmission cycle.
Research Purpose and Methods
- In this study, the researchers aim to better understand the mechanisms that initiate annual outbreaks of the EEEV, a virus that is primarily spread between mosquitoes and birds in eastern North America. The mosquito Culiseta melanura acts as the main vector, carrying the virus, and passerine birds are the primary hosts where the virus multiplies.
- The research was conducted in a coastal cedar swamp community in southern New Jersey, an area known for high annual cycles of the virus. For the study, the researchers captured and sampled both birds and mosquitoes during three epidemics and one season of limited virus activity.
Analysis of Birds and EEEV
- The researchers analysed antibody prevalence (the presence of virus fighting proteins that indicate a previous infection) in birds, in relation to eight physical and natural history characteristics. This data offered insights into the members of the bird community that had evidence of previous EEEV infection.
- In the study, it was found that resident status of birds is closely linked to their participation in the EEEV cycle. Species spending a significant amount of time at the research site (permanent residents or summer residents), had the highest rates of EEEV antibody prevalence. These birds included the Blue Jay (62% prevalence), Wood Thrush (60% prevalence), and Tufted Titmouse (44% prevalence).
Insights into EEEV Transmission
- The research showed that this bird community could be infected with the virus and start spreading it among each other and local mosquitoes before the virus could be detected in the mosquito population.
- The researchers found evidence of a previously undetected, or ‘cryptic,’ cycle where the virus activity in the bird population rises weeks before it’s detected in C. melanura mosquitoes through traditional laboratory techniques.
- This study provides essential insights, suggesting that the annual outbreaks of the disease might be initiated by the reactivation (‘recrudescence’) of latent (inactive) virus in previously infected birds, rather than a new spread of the disease from the insect vector.
Cite This Article
APA
Crans WJ, Caccamise DF, McNelly JR.
(1994).
Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus in relation to the avian community of a coastal cedar swamp.
J Med Entomol, 31(5), 711-728.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/31.5.711 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Entomology, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08903.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Birds / virology
- Culicidae / virology
- Disease Vectors
- Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / immunology
- Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / isolation & purification
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / epidemiology
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / transmission
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- New Jersey / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 18 times.- Stobierski MG, Signs K, Dinh E, Cooley TM, Melotti J, Schalow M, Patterson JS, Bolin SR, Walker ED. Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis in Michigan: Historical Review of Equine, Human, and Wildlife Involvement, Epidemiology, Vector Associations, and Factors Contributing to Endemicity.. J Med Entomol 2022 Jan 12;59(1):27-40.
- Armstrong PM, Andreadis TG. Ecology and Epidemiology of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in the Northeastern United States: An Historical Perspective.. J Med Entomol 2022 Jan 12;59(1):1-13.
- Becker DJ, Ketterson ED, Hall RJ. Reactivation of latent infections with migration shapes population-level disease dynamics.. Proc Biol Sci 2020 Sep 30;287(1935):20201829.
- Azar SR, Campos RK, Bergren NA, Camargos VN, Rossi SL. Epidemic Alphaviruses: Ecology, Emergence and Outbreaks.. Microorganisms 2020 Aug 1;8(8).
- Oliver J, Tan Y, Haight JD, Tober KJ, Gall WK, Zink SD, Kramer LD, Campbell SR, Howard JJ, Das SR, Sherwood JA. Spatial and temporal expansions of Eastern equine encephalitis virus and phylogenetic groups isolated from mosquitoes and mammalian cases in New York State from 2013 to 2019.. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020 Dec;9(1):1638-1650.
- Kar S, Rodriguez SE, Akyildiz G, Cajimat MNB, Bircan R, Mears MC, Bente DA, Keles AG. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in tortoises and Hyalomma aegyptium ticks in East Thrace, Turkey: potential of a cryptic transmission cycle.. Parasit Vectors 2020 Apr 19;13(1):201.
- Soghigian J, Andreadis TG, Molaei G. Population genomics of Culiseta melanura, the principal vector of Eastern equine encephalitis virus in the United States.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 Aug;12(8):e0006698.
- Shepard JJ, Andreadis TG, Thomas MC, Molaei G. Host associations of mosquitoes at eastern equine encephalitis virus foci in Connecticut, USA.. Parasit Vectors 2016 Aug 30;9(1):474.
- Molaei G, Thomas MC, Muller T, Medlock J, Shepard JJ, Armstrong PM, Andreadis TG. Dynamics of Vector-Host Interactions in Avian Communities in Four Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Foci in the Northeastern U.S.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016 Jan;10(1):e0004347.
- Molaei G, Armstrong PM, Graham AC, Kramer LD, Andreadis TG. Insights into the recent emergence and expansion of eastern equine encephalitis virus in a new focus in the Northern New England USA.. Parasit Vectors 2015 Oct 9;8:516.
- Burkett-Cadena ND, Bingham AM, Hunt B, Morse G, Unnasch TR. Ecology of Culiseta Melanura and Other Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Walton County, FL, During Winter Period 2013-2014.. J Med Entomol 2015 Sep;52(5):1074-82.
- Molaei G, Armstrong PM, Abadam CF, Akaratovic KI, Kiser JP, Andreadis TG. Vector-Host Interactions of Culiseta melanura in a Focus of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Activity in Southeastern Virginia.. PLoS One 2015;10(9):e0136743.
- Bingham AM, Burkett-Cadena ND, Hassan HK, McClure CJ, Unnasch TR. Field investigations of winter transmission of eastern equine encephalitis virus in Florida.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2014 Oct;91(4):685-93.
- Estep LK, McClure CJ, Burkett-Cadena ND, Hassan HK, Hicks TL, Unnasch TR, Hill GE. A multi-year study of mosquito feeding patterns on avian hosts in a southeastern focus of eastern equine encephalitis virus.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2011 May;84(5):718-26.
- Reisen WK, Wheeler SS, Garcia S, Fang Y. Migratory birds and the dispersal of arboviruses in California.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010 Oct;83(4):808-15.
- Young DS, Kramer LD, Maffei JG, Dusek RJ, Backenson PB, Mores CN, Bernard KA, Ebel GD. Molecular epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis virus, New York.. Emerg Infect Dis 2008 Mar;14(3):454-60.
- Cupp EW, Klingler K, Hassan HK, Viguers LM, Unnasch TR. Transmission of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus in central Alabama.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2003 Apr;68(4):495-500.
- Lee JH, Hassan H, Hill G, Cupp EW, Higazi TB, Mitchell CJ, Godsey MS Jr, Unnasch TR. Identification of mosquito avian-derived blood meals by polymerase chain reaction-heteroduplex analysis.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2002 May;66(5):599-604.
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