Publications by authors named "Sam Verwimp"
The antimalarial drug atovaquone was recently reported to inhibit the in vitro replication of different arboviruses, including chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV). Furthermore, atovaquone was shown to block Plasmodium parasite transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes when the mosquitoes were exposed to low concentrations on treated surfaces (i.e.
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- The emergence of West Nile and Usutu viruses in Europe is a public health concern, as there are no effective antiviral treatments or vaccines available.
- Controlling the diseases primarily relies on targeting Culex mosquitoes, but insecticide resistance is a growing issue due to consistent exposure to these chemicals.
- A study in Leuven, Belgium found mutations linked to insecticide resistance in Culex pipiens and Culex modestus mosquitoes, emphasizing the need for ongoing mosquito surveillance to improve outbreak control strategies.
The impact of the host microbiota on arbovirus infections is currently not well understood. Arboviruses are viruses transmitted through the bites of infected arthropods, predominantly mosquitoes or ticks. The first site of arbovirus inoculation is the biting site in the host skin, which is colonized by a complex microbial community that could possibly influence arbovirus infection.
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