Title: A minimum data standard for vector competence experiments
Abstract
The growing threat of vector-borne diseases, highlighted by recent epidemics, has prompted increased focus on the fundamental biology of vector-virus interactions. To this end, experiments are often the most reliable way to measure vector competence (the potential for arthropod vectors to transmit certain pathogens). Data from these experiments are critical to understand outbreak risk, but – despite having been collected and reported for a large range of vector-pathogen combinations – terminology is inconsistent, records are scattered across studies, and the accompanying publications often share data with insufficient detail for reuse or synthesis. Here, we present a minimum data and metadata standard for reporting the results of vector competence experiments. Our reporting checklist strikes a balance between completeness and labor-intensiveness, with the goal of making these important experimental data easier to find and reuse in the future, without much added effort for the scientists generating the data. To illustrate the standard, we provide an example that reproduces results from a study ofAedes aegyptivector competence for Zika virus.
Vector competence inAedes aegyptiis influenced by various factors. Crucial new control methods can be developed by recognizing which factors affect virus and mosquito interactions.
Methods
In the present study we used three geographically distinctAe. aegyptipopulations and compared their susceptibility to infection by dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2). To identify any differences among the three mosquito populations, we evaluated expression levels of immune-related genes and assessed the presence of microbiota that might contribute to the uniqueness in their vector competence.
Results
Based on the results from the DENV-2 competence study, we categorized the three geographically distinctAe. aegyptipopulations into a refractory population (Vilas do Atlântico), a susceptible population (Vero) and a susceptible but low transmission population (California). The immune-related transcripts were highly expressed in the California population but not in the refractory population. However, the Rel-1 gene was upregulated in the Vilas do Atlântico population following ingestion of a non-infectious blood meal, suggesting the gene’s involvement in non-viral responses, such as response to microbiota. Screening of the bacteria, fungi and flaviviruses revealed differences between populations, and any of these could be one of the factors that interfere with the vector competence.
Conclusions
The results reveal potential factors that might impact the virus and mosquito interaction, as well as influence theAe. aegyptirefractory phenotype.
Chen, Binqi; Sweeny, Amy R.; Wu, Velen Y.; Christofferson, Rebecca C.; Ebel, Gregory; Fagre, Anna C.; Gallichotte, Emily; Kading, Rebekah C.; Ryan, Sadie J.; Carlson, Colin J.(
, The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
ABSTRACT. Arboviruses receive heightened research attention during major outbreaks or when they cause unusual or severe clinical disease, but they are otherwise undercharacterized. Global change is also accelerating the emergence and spread of arboviral diseases, leading to time-sensitive questions about potential interactions between viruses and novel vectors. Vector competence experiments help determine the susceptibility of certain arthropods to a given arbovirus, but these experiments are often conducted in real time during outbreaks, rather than with preparedness in mind. We conducted a systematic review of reported mosquito–arbovirus competence experiments, screening 570 abstracts to arrive at 265 studies testing in vivo arboviral competence. We found that more than 90% of potential mosquito–virus combinations are untested in experimental settings and that entire regions and their corresponding vectors and viruses are undersampled. These knowledge gaps stymie outbreak response and limit attempts to both build and validate predictive models of the vector–virus network.
Kain, Morgan P.; Skinner, Eloise B.; Athni, Tejas S.; Ramirez, Ana L.; Mordecai, Erin A.; van den Hurk, Andrew F.(
, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Brackney, Doug E.
(Ed.)
The globalization of mosquito-borne arboviral diseases has placed more than half of the human population at risk. Understanding arbovirus ecology, including the role individual mosquito species play in virus transmission cycles, is critical for limiting disease. Canonical virus-vector groupings, such as Aedes - or Culex -associated flaviviruses, have historically been defined using virus detection in field-collected mosquitoes, mosquito feeding patterns, and vector competence, which quantifies the intrinsic ability of a mosquito to become infected with and transmit a virus during a subsequent blood feed. Herein, we quantitatively synthesize data from 68 laboratory-based vector competence studies of 111 mosquito-virus pairings of Australian mosquito species and viruses of public health concern to further substantiate existing canonical vector-virus groupings and quantify variation within these groupings. Our synthesis reinforces current canonical vector-virus groupings but reveals substantial variation within them. While Aedes species were generally the most competent vectors of canonical “ Aedes -associated flaviviruses” (such as dengue, Zika, and yellow fever viruses), there are some notable exceptions; for example, Aedes notoscriptus is an incompetent vector of dengue viruses. Culex spp. were the most competent vectors of many traditionally Culex -associated flaviviruses including West Nile, Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses, although some Aedes spp. are also moderately competent vectors of these viruses. Conversely, many different mosquito genera were associated with the transmission of the arthritogenic alphaviruses, Ross River, Barmah Forest, and chikungunya viruses. We also confirm that vector competence is impacted by multiple barriers to infection and transmission within the mesenteron and salivary glands of the mosquito. Although these barriers represent important bottlenecks, species that were susceptible to infection with a virus were often likely to transmit it. Importantly, this synthesis provides essential information on what species need to be targeted in mosquito control programs.
Lewis, Juliette; Gallichotte, Emily N; Randall, Jenna; Glass, Arielle; Foy, Brian D; Ebel, Gregory D; Kading, Rebekah C(
, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology)
Mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of numerous viruses of global health significance. The term “vector competence” describes the intrinsic ability of an arthropod vector to transmit an infectious agent. Prior to transmission, the mosquito itself presents a complex and hostile environment through which a virus must transit to ensure propagation and transmission to the next host. Viruses imbibed in an infectious blood meal must pass in and out of the mosquito midgut, traffic through the body cavity or hemocoel, invade the salivary glands, and be expelled with the saliva when the vector takes a subsequent blood meal. Viruses encounter physical, cellular, microbial, and immunological barriers, which are influenced by the genetic background of the mosquito vector as well as environmental conditions. Collectively, these factors place significant selective pressure on the virus that impact its evolution and transmission. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of the field in understanding the mosquito-specific factors that underpin vector competence and how each of these mechanisms may influence virus evolution.
Heitzman-Breen, Nora; Liyanage, Yuganthi R; Duggal, Nisha; Tuncer, Necibe; Ciupe, Stanca M(
, Royal Society Open Science)
Understanding the epidemiology of emerging pathogens, such as Usutu virus (USUV) infections, requires systems investigation at each scale involved in the host–virus transmission cycle, from individual bird infections, to bird-to-vector transmissions, and to USUV incidence in bird and vector populations. For new pathogens field data are sparse, and predictions can be aided by the use of laboratory-type inoculation and transmission experiments combined with dynamical mathematical modelling. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of two strains of USUV by constructing mathematical models for the within-host scale, bird-to-vector transmission scale and vector-borne epidemiological scale. We used individual within-host infectious virus data and per cent mosquito infection data to predict USUV incidence in birds and mosquitoes. We addressed the dependence of predictions on model structure, data uncertainty and experimental design. We found that uncertainty in predictions at one scale change predicted results at another scale. We proposedin silicoexperiments that showed that sampling every 12 hours ensures practical identifiability of the within-host scale model. At the same time, we showed that practical identifiability of the transmission scale functions can only be improved under unrealistically high sampling regimes. Instead, we proposed optimal experimental designs and suggested the types of experiments that can ensure identifiability at the transmission scale and, hence, induce robustness in predictions at the epidemiological scale.
Wu, Velen Yifei, Chen, Binqi, Christofferson, Rebecca, Ebel, Gregory, Fagre, Anna C., Gallichotte, Emily N., Sweeny, Amy R., Carlson, Colin J., and Ryan, Sadie J. A minimum data standard for vector competence experiments. Scientific Data 9.1 Web. doi:10.1038/s41597-022-01741-4.
Wu, Velen Yifei, Chen, Binqi, Christofferson, Rebecca, Ebel, Gregory, Fagre, Anna C., Gallichotte, Emily N., Sweeny, Amy R., Carlson, Colin J., & Ryan, Sadie J. A minimum data standard for vector competence experiments. Scientific Data, 9 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01741-4
Wu, Velen Yifei, Chen, Binqi, Christofferson, Rebecca, Ebel, Gregory, Fagre, Anna C., Gallichotte, Emily N., Sweeny, Amy R., Carlson, Colin J., and Ryan, Sadie J.
"A minimum data standard for vector competence experiments". Scientific Data 9 (1). Country unknown/Code not available: Nature Publishing Group. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01741-4.https://par.nsf.gov/biblio/10376135.
@article{osti_10376135,
place = {Country unknown/Code not available},
title = {A minimum data standard for vector competence experiments},
url = {https://par.nsf.gov/biblio/10376135},
DOI = {10.1038/s41597-022-01741-4},
abstractNote = {Abstract The growing threat of vector-borne diseases, highlighted by recent epidemics, has prompted increased focus on the fundamental biology of vector-virus interactions. To this end, experiments are often the most reliable way to measure vector competence (the potential for arthropod vectors to transmit certain pathogens). Data from these experiments are critical to understand outbreak risk, but – despite having been collected and reported for a large range of vector-pathogen combinations – terminology is inconsistent, records are scattered across studies, and the accompanying publications often share data with insufficient detail for reuse or synthesis. Here, we present a minimum data and metadata standard for reporting the results of vector competence experiments. Our reporting checklist strikes a balance between completeness and labor-intensiveness, with the goal of making these important experimental data easier to find and reuse in the future, without much added effort for the scientists generating the data. To illustrate the standard, we provide an example that reproduces results from a study ofAedes aegyptivector competence for Zika virus.},
journal = {Scientific Data},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
publisher = {Nature Publishing Group},
author = {Wu, Velen Yifei and Chen, Binqi and Christofferson, Rebecca and Ebel, Gregory and Fagre, Anna C. and Gallichotte, Emily N. and Sweeny, Amy R. and Carlson, Colin J. and Ryan, Sadie J.},
}
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