“Parasite-wildlife interaction in a changing world: Vector–borne diseases as example”

Publication date: Available online 12 June 2019Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and WildlifeAuthor(s): Annapaola Rizzoli, Valentina Tagliapietra, Francesca Cagnacci, Giovanni Marini, Daniele Arnoldi, Fausta Rosso, Roberto RosàAbstractIn the great acceleration phase of the Anthropocene, changes in climate, land use and biodiversity are considered among the most important drivers of modifications in parasites-host interaction and wildlife zoonotic disease emergence. In the case of vector-borne diseases, changes in vector-host interaction require a continuous monitoring since this parameter contributes in determining the vectorial capacity and consequently infection hazard for humans and animals. Several intrinsic and extrinsic vector, pathogen and host factors affect the vectorial capacity. Among extrinsic factors, changes in vector host abundance and behavior or shift in vector- host preference exert an important role in shaping the spatial and temporal dynamics of vector borne disease emergence. The scope of this review is to highlight how some of such changes modulate the dynamics of two important vector-borne diseases in Europe such as Tick borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and West Nile virus (WNV). Changes in infection hazard depend on the pattern of tick infestation on the rodent hosts which in turn depends on the variation in tick hosts abundance and behaviour. West Nile Virus (WNV) is nowadays considered the most widespread arthropod-borne virus...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research