Ecology of West Nile Virus in the Southeastern US

美国东南部西尼罗河病毒的生态学

• 批准号: 7119244
• 负责人: THOMAS R UNNASCH
• 金额: $ 15.8万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-09-30 至 2008-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/7119244
• 关键词: Aedes; Aves; Culex; Diptera; United States; West Nile virus; arthropod borne communicable disease; communicable disease transmission; disease outbreaks; disease vectors; ecology; epizootiology; field study; geographic difference; host organism interaction; wild animals

Description ( provided by applicant): Since its introduction in 1999,West Nile Virus (WNV) has spread rapidly through out most of North America. It is likely that the epidemiology and maintenance ecology of WNV will differ substantially from region to region, and will change overtime as the infection moves from an epidemic to an endemic pattern of infection. The Principal Investigators of this proposal have collaborated closely over the past four years in a study of the ecology of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis(EEE) virus. We demonstrated that avian host choice by EEE vector mosquito esis highly restricted, and that certain species are targeted to a greater extent than predicted based upon their abundance. We have also found that peak periods in viral transmission correspond to periods of intense feeding upon certain avian hosts. We have also obtained preliminary data that suggest that vectors of WNV exhibit a similar pattern of avian host choice. The overall goal of this proposal will be to build upon our studies of the ecology of EEE transmission to develop a comprehensive picture of WNV transmission in the Southeastern USA. The specific aims of this proposal are: 1. To identify the most significant vectors for WNV in peri-urban and urban areas in South Central Alabama and to determine if the vector is involved in over-wintering of WNV in the Southeast. 2. To monitor WNV activity in the avifauna present at the study site, and to relate this activity to the interaction of the avifauna and vector mosquitoes at the site. We shall also monitor a well characterized songbird population to determine if there are subtle detrimental effects of WNV infection on the native avifauna. 3. To test the hypothesis that changes in the host-vector relationship are essential in triggering outbreaks of WNV.

描述（由申请人提供）：自 1999 年引入以来，西尼罗河病毒 (WNV) 已迅速传播到北美大部分地区。西尼罗河病毒的流行病学和维持生态学可能因地区而异，并且随着感染从流行病转变为地方性感染模式而不断变化。该提案的主要研究人员在过去四年中密切合作，研究东部马脑脊髓炎（EEE）病毒的生态学。我们证明，EEE 媒介蚊子对鸟类宿主的选择受到高度限制，并且某些物种的目标范围比根据其丰度预测的范围更大。我们还发现，病毒传播的高峰期对应于对某些鸟类宿主的强烈进食时期。我们还获得了初步数据，表明西尼罗河病毒载体表现出类似的鸟类宿主选择模式。该提案的总体目标是以我们对 EEE 传播生态学的研究为基础，全面了解美国东南部的 WNV 传播情况。该提案的具体目标是： 1. 确定阿拉巴马州中南部城郊和城市地区最重要的西尼罗河病毒媒介，并确定该媒介是否与东南部西尼罗河病毒的越冬有关。 2. 监测研究地点鸟类区系中的西尼罗河病毒活动，并将该活动与该地点鸟类区系和媒介蚊子的相互作用联系起来。我们还将监测特征明确的鸣禽种群，以确定西尼罗河病毒感染是否对本地鸟类产生微妙的有害影响。 3. 检验宿主与媒介关系的变化对于引发西尼罗河病毒爆发至关重要的假设。