The Kidney-Associated Microbiome of Wild-Caught spp. in Grenada, West Indies.

Bats are capable of asymptomatically carrying a diverse number of microorganisms, including human pathogens, due to their unique immune system. Because of the close contact between bats and humans, there is a possibility for interspecies transmission and consequential disease outbreaks. Herein, high-throughput sequencing was used to determine the kidney-associated microbiome of a bat species abundant in Grenada, West Indies, spp.

GENETIC AND MORPHOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION OF DIASCHISTORCHIS PANDUS (DIGENEA: PRONOCEPHALIDAE) TREMATODES EXTRACTED FROM HAWKSBILL TURTLES, ERETMOCHELYS IMBRICATA (TESTUDINES: CHELONIIDAE), IN GRENADA, WEST INDIES.

The hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata is a critically endangered species with a worldwide distribution. Limited information is available about the naturally occurring intestinal parasites of this species and what impact these parasites may have on the health of the hawksbill turtle. Diaschistorchis pandus was identified postmortem in 5 hawksbill turtles from Grenada, West Indies, using morphologic characterization.

Preliminary Characterization of Triatomine Bug Blood Meals on the Island of Trinidad Reveals Opportunistic Feeding Behavior on Both Human and Animal Hosts.

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by infection with The parasite is endemic to the Americas, including the Caribbean, where it is vectored by triatomine bugs. Although Chagas disease is not considered a public health concern in the Caribbean islands, studies in Trinidad have found -seropositive humans and -infected triatomine bugs. However, little is known about triatomine bug host preferences in Trinidad, making it difficult to evaluate local risk of vector-borne transmission to humans.

Metagenomic analysis of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes from Grenada, West Indies.

The mosquitoes Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 (Diptera: Culicidae) are two major vectors of arthropod-borne pathogens in Grenada, West Indies. As conventional vector control methods present many challenges, alternatives are urgently needed. Manipulation of mosquito microbiota is emerging as a field for the development of vector control strategies.

High prevalence of Phasi Charoen-like virus from wild-caught Aedes aegypti in Grenada, W.I. as revealed by metagenomic analysis.

Arboviruses cause diseases of significant global health concerns. Interactions between mosquitoes and their microbiota as well as the important role of this interaction in the mosquito's capacity to harbor and transmit pathogens have emerged as important fields of research. Aedes aegypti is one of the most abundant mosquitoes in many geographic locations, a vector capable of transmitting a number of arboviruses such as dengue and Zika.

Phylogenetic relationships and diversity of bat-associated Leptospira and the histopathological evaluation of these infections in bats from Grenada, West Indies.

Bats can harbor zoonotic pathogens, but their status as reservoir hosts for Leptospira bacteria is unclear. During 2015-2017, kidneys from 47 of 173 bats captured in Grenada, West Indies, tested PCR-positive for Leptospira. Sequence analysis of the Leptospira rpoB gene from 31 of the positive samples showed 87-91% similarity to known Leptospira species.

Ectoparasites of brown rats () in Grenada, West Indies.

Background And Aim: Arthropod ectoparasites (mites, lice, ticks, and fleas) on common house rats or brown rats () are known to transmit zoonotic pathogens and diminish rat health. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published information regarding the prevalence of ectoparasites on in Grenada. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of ectoparasites present on brown rats from Grenada.

PCR-Based Bloodmeal Analysis of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in St. George Parish, Grenada.

Blood-feeding patterns of mosquitoes affect the transmission and maintenance of arboviral diseases. In the Caribbean, Aedes aegypti (L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say mosquitoes are the dominant mosquito species in developed areas.

Identification of Helminth Parasites from in Grenada, West Indies.

Helminths in fish were identified by PCR. Two helminth taxa were identified: and an unknown acanthocephalan. Neither taxon of helminth identified is zoonotic.