Publications by authors named "H Astete"
Dengue is the most widespread vector-borne viral infection globally and a serious public health problem. The 2023-2024 dengue outbreak across Latin America has drastically impacted Peru, including previously unaffected areas such as metropolitan Lima and Amazonian rural communities, presumably due to climate change. Research studies conducted in Iquitos, the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon, showed that ultra-low-volume pyrethroid spray applications against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti were effective when adequate coverage and quality control were carried out.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDengue virus (DENV) transmission from humans to mosquitoes is a poorly documented, but critical component of DENV epidemiology. Magnitude of viremia is the primary determinant of successful human-to-mosquito DENV transmission. People with the same level of viremia, however, can vary in their infectiousness to mosquitoes as a function of other factors that remain to be elucidated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEntomological research studies on mosquito vector biology, vector competence, insecticide resistance, dispersal, and survival (using mark-release-recapture techniques) often rely on laboratory-reared mosquito colonies to produce large numbers of consistently reared, aged, and sized mosquitoes. We developed a low-cost blood feeding apparatus that supports temperatures consistent with warm blooded animals, using commonly available materials found in low resource environments. We compare our system ("Caserotek") to Hemotek and glass/membrane feeding methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Ticks are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of vertebrates and can transmit various pathogens to humans and animals.
- In a study conducted in Colombia, researchers analyzed the bacterial and viral communities present in the tropical horse tick, revealing a variety of microorganisms, including endosymbionts and several viral families.
- The findings indicated significant regional differences in microbial composition among tick populations from different areas, suggesting that geographical factors might influence the diversity of pathogens in ticks.
Article Synopsis
- Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasites that transmit diverse pathogens to vertebrates, including humans, yet the factors contributing to their microbial diversity remain unclear.
- In a study on tropical horse ticks collected from different regions in Colombia, researchers identified a wide range of bacterial and viral communities using advanced sequencing techniques, revealing that the Francisellaceae family was notably prevalent.
- The study found significant regional differences in bacterial composition among the ticks, with specific endosymbionts and viruses being linked to particular areas, indicating that environmental factors may drive the microbial diversity in tick populations.