ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS AND MANAGEMENT OF ARTHROPOD-BORNE DISEASES OF PUBLIC AND VETERINARY HEALTH IN SOUTH CENTRAL UNITED STATES.

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1016096
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2018
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2023
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
STILLWATER,OK 74078

Performing Department
Entomology And Plant Pathology

Non Technical Summary
Mosquito and tick-borne diseases thrive in specific environments where humans and animals are in close contact with tick and mosquito vectors which transmit the diseases. The scientific literature, recent and historical, indicates that the transmission of many pathogens occurs in Oklahoma and surrounding states (Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas), but the factors which contribute to disease transmission are not well understood. Many of the same factors are applicable to several different important tick and mosquito-borne diseases in the region. Studies envisioned in this project will seek to better understand specific interactions within important disease systems: SFG Rickettsiosis and Ehrlichiosis as well as the expansion of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the region. This will be in addition to other diseases which may become important during the next 5 year period. The benefits of this research will provide the opportunity to train personnel locally as well as network with state and regional public health and veterinary professionals to work toward effective integrated control and prevention strategies for important diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes.

Animal Health Component

80%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

20%

Applied

80%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
722	3110	1130	25%
722	3120	1130	25%
311	3110	1130	25%
311	3120	1130	25%

Knowledge Area
311 - Animal Diseases; 722 - Zoonotic Diseases and Parasites Affecting Humans;

Subject Of Investigation
3120 - Spiders, mites, ticks, and other arthropods; 3110 - Insects;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;

Keywords

vector-borne disease

tick-borne pathogens

mosquito-borne disease

public health

veterinary health

epidemiology

spotted fever group rickettsiosis

ehrlichiosis

dog heartworm

rickettsia

dirofilaria

ehrlichia

anaplasma

Goals / Objectives
1. Explore the ecological and social determinates of tick-borne diseases in the South-central Great Plains region as they pertain to humans and animal health in specific landscape settings.2. Assess the unique ecology of Aedes aegypti in the southern Great Plains as well as other invasive species as they pertain to the potential threat of arboviral outbreaks.3. Investigate the emergent potential for other vector-borne pathogens in Oklahoma.

Project Methods
Objective 1 will involve several research foci. The first project will focus mainly in western Oklahoma and the southern Great Plains region while the other two project will involve more of a focus on particular populations in the state:Continue identifying the factors which are contributing to the spread of infections in western Oklahoma, a region not normally thought to support increasing populations of ticks. This will involving continued monitoring of tick species involved with SFG Rickettsiosis and Ehrlichiosis infections in western Oklahoma and evaluation of how invasive Eastern red cedar and/or climate conditions might be influencing interactions of humans and animals with tick populations. This will involve continued use of protocols developed in my laboratory to field-sample ticks, geo-register where they were collected, and testthem for pathogens using established diagnostic assays. From the data collected, spatial risk maps will be created and appropriate validation of the model will occur in subsequent years.Another component will focus particularly on establishing relationships within Native American communities from which to develop community-focused initiatives through which to explore how Native Americans might be experiencing ticks and tick-borne diseases in a different way than other racial groups in the same communities. As each community might initiate activity in different ways, I will use various methods, building on previous work in adult learners in developing countries, which could include focus-group discussions, knowledge, attitude, and practice surveys, and/or direct interactions with community members in various large-group formats. This focus will also include working with local professionals regarding the extent of 'Lyme-like' illness in the region.Objective 2 will occur mainly in southern Oklahoma. The primary approach will be to sample adult mosquitos from representative landscapes in different cities in Southern Oklahoma. Sampling methods will involve: 1) ovipositional GAT traps to monitor key Aedes vector species and 2) CO2 baited CDC traps and gravid traps to monitor host-seeking or blood-fed mosquitoes to monitor infected mosquitoes. Once in the lab, the mosquitoes will be separated by species and dissection will separate their heads from their bodies so as to find the prevalence of mosquitoes harboring infectious L3 Dirofilaria immitis larvae. This will be confirmed using simple PCR to ensure no infection is missed. From the data collected, spatial risk maps will be created and validated according to appropriate protocols. Additional work will be completed with a collaborator, Dr. Ephantus Muturi (ARS-Peoria), to identify if bacteria species different in the midguts of Aedes vectors in differing urban areas of the southern Great Plains. This will allow for the assessment of how larval rearing habitats might play a role in the competence of Aedes mosquitoes in the region.Because it is not yet possible to anticipate which pathogens may become important in Oklahoma and the West Central region in the next 5 years, all investigations under Objective 3 will follow evidence-based protocols working together with State authorities.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of this research reached during this reporting period were public health and veterinary professionals who focus on vector-borne diseases within the United States. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Funding was provided for Brandon Henriquez to attend and present at a virtual SW Branch ESA meeting in March 2020. Funding was provided for the 3rd year veterinary student's ectoparasite project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?1.Tick studies Results from the tick project in urban Oklahoma City were published in two peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, the KAP study of producer knowledge regarding ticks and tick-borne pathogens was also published in a peer-reviewed journal. Results from past studies involving tick ecology in Oklahoma were presented in several forums, including scientific meetings. 2.Mosquito studies Results from previously reported studies focused on mosquito surveillance and pathogen testing in urban areas of Oklahoma were published in a peer-related journal. Results from past studies involving mosquito ecology in Oklahoma were presented in several forums. Vector-borne pathogens in Oklahoma The finding of B. henselae in fleas from Tulsa-based client-owned pets has been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? I continued to focus on factors that affect tick-borne disease transmission in Central and Western Oklahoma. We are finishing the analysis of a tick project in Oklahoma City in which 10,000+ ticks were collected in 16 sites over a two-year period. Publications are currently pending with several accepted, including the first report of R. parkeri in Amblyomma maculatum ticks in Oklahoma. We also have analyzed the data and submitted a manuscript from a landscape-focused study focused on how eastern red cedar invasion is enhancing tick communities in the southern Great Plains. In regards to mosquitoes, we analyzed and published a study completed in 6 small towns in southern Oklahoma where a variety of mosquito species, including Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus (the main species involved in dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus transmission) as well as Culex tarsalis (the main vector for West Nile virus on the Great Plains), were collected. Our goal from this study was to identify predictable variables in small towns that could be used to prevent people-seeking mosquitoes. Under Goal 1: Explore the ecological and social determinates of tick-borne diseases in the South-central Great Plains region as they pertain to humans and animal health in specific landscape settings. Major activities completed / experiments conducted: In the past year, we have completed an urban-focused tick study in addition to a survey of OSU university students. Data collected: We have analyzed the results of 10,000+ ticks (3 species) collected in Oklahoma City including DNA testing for pathogens from extractions from all adult ticks that impact humans and animals. We have analyzed the data from a tick-focused Knowledge, Attitude, and Prevention survey of 483 Oklahoma State University students. Summary statistics and discussion of results: At this point, we have found evidence of known pathogenic (Rickettsia parkeri, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and Panola Mountain Ehrlichia) and non-pathogenic (endosymbiotic) (Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae, R. amblyommatis, Borrelia lonestari) bacteria in tested ticks. In regards to the survey, we found some important gaps in knowledge and were able to overcome the gaps with supplemental education with the exception of a lack of knowledge regarding Lyme disease. Our results can be used to develop assessment tools to improve extension programs and enhance protection from TBDs. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: Regarding the tick studies, we have published several manuscripts and will complete the publication of the remaining data in the coming year. The manuscript involving the tick KAP study has also be submitted for consideration. Through these studies, we are changing knowledge as to which pathogens are potentially impacting people and their animals in the southern Great Plains. We are also expanding knowledge as to where specific tick vectors are located so as to anticipate changes in disease epidemiology in the region. Under Goal 2: Assess the unique ecology of Aedes aegypti in the southern Great Plains as well as other invasive species as they pertain to the potential threat of arboviral outbreaks. Major activities completed / experiments conducted: We have conducted several studies involving mosquitoes throughout Oklahoma. Data collected: We extracted DNA from 12,300 mosquitoes collected from urban areas in Southern Oklahoma and tested them for the presence of filarioid and protozoan DNA. We also spent the summer collecting mosquitoes in varying concentrations of eastern red cedar in order to measure the impact of ERC on mosquito populations in three expansion zones in Oklahoma. Summary statistics and discussion of results: The data from this parasite study indicated that different filarioid nematode and haemosporida species are circulating in diverse mosquito species in urban areas across the southern Great Plains. Dirofilaria immitis was detected in Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens complex while two unidentified filarioid nematodes were detected in Aedes albopictus. Different species of avian and mammalian Plasmodium spp. were detected in 7 different mosquito species. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: A publication has been submitted for the mosquito pathogen work while we are still working on the data from the summer project. Through these studies, we are changing knowledge regarding the environments in which important mosquito species involved in disease transmission thrive. Our hope, at some point, is to develop some guidelines that will be helpful to local communities to mitigate the current and future risks of mosquito-borne diseases. Under Goal 3: Investigate the emergent potential for other vector-borne pathogens in Oklahoma. Major activities completed / experiments conducted: We have conducted several studies to test fleas and mites collected in Oklahoma for the presence of potential pathogens. Data collected: We extracted DNA from 40 fleas from an urban area in Oklahoma and 100s of mites from local blue-bird nests. Summary statistics and discussion of results: We discovered Bartonella henselae-infected fleas from a small sample collected from client-owned pets. Additionally, we detected Bartonella sp. and Rickettsia sp. in mites from blue-bird nests. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: We have submitted a manuscript for consideration involving the Bartonella henselae discovery. We are continuing to look for ways to expand this important area of potential disease transmission as it is taking on a new significance as studies identify previously under-studied ectoparasites that might be reservoirs for different vector-borne diseases.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Noden BH, Roselli MA, Loss SR. 2020. Rickettsia parkeri and Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae in Ticks of the Amblyomma maculatum Group, Oklahoma City, 2017-2018. Emerging Infectious Diseases 26(2): 371-374.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Wayadande AC, Backus EA, Noden BH, Ebert T. 2020. Waveforms from stylet probing of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) measured by AC-DC electropenetrography. Journal of Medical Entomology 57(2):353-368.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Roselli MA, Cady S, Lao S, Noden BH, Loss SR. 2020. Variation in tick load among bird body parts: implications for studying the role of birds in the ecology and epidemiology of tick-borne diseases. Journal of Medical Entomology. 57(3): 845-851.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Noden BH, Garner KD, Lalman D, Talley J. 2020. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ticks, tick-borne pathogens, and tick prevention among beef producers in Oklahoma. Southwest Entomologist 45(2):341-350.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Sanders, JD, Talley JL, Frasier AE, Noden, BH. 2020. Landscape and anthropogenic factors associated with adult Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus presence and abundance in small cities in the southern Great Plains. Insects 11, 699.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Henriquez, B., Sanders, J., Noden, BH. 2020. Prevalence of Plasmodium sp. in mosquitoes collected in urban areas of southern Oklahoma. Poster presented by BH (Undergraduate) at the Joint North Central Branch and Southwestern Branch of the Entomological Society of America, OKC, Oklahoma (March 2020).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Whiteman, L, Reed M, Hess T, Noden BH, Hoback WW. 2019. No wriggler Room: Mosquito adults co-exist by larvae do not. Presentation by LW at the 2019 National ESA meeting, St. Louis, MO (Nov 2019).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Noden BH, Roselli MA, Loss SR. 2019. Local and landscape-scale drivers of tick distribution and tick-borne pathogen prevalence in a rapidly expanding urban area on the southern Great Plains. Invited presentation in a Medical Urban Veterinary Entomology (MUVE) symposium entitled: Urban pests and vectors: Emerging impacts, sustainable management and future research at the 2019 National ESA meeting, St. Louis, MO (Nov 2019).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Brewer S, Wolf S, Tanner E, Polo, J, Noden B, Fuhlendorf S. 2019. Quantifying spatio-temporal variability in thermal patterns using a fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing system. Presentation at the 2019 joint The Wildlife Society and American Fisheries Society meeting in Reno, NV (Sept 29-Oct 3, 2019).

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience of this research reached during this reporting period were public health and veterinary professionals who focus on vector-borne diseases within the United States. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Funding was provided for the research of Noel Cote in late Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 toward the attainment of a Ph.D. degree. Funding was provided for Dr. Bruce Noden to attend and present at a regional SW Branch ESA meeting (Tulsa, OK) in April 2019. Funding was provided for the 2nd year veterinary student's ectoparasite project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Tick studies Results from a previously reported study evaluating the responses of Amblyomma maculatum to rumen fluid and other odorants were published in a peer-reviewed journal. Results from past studies involving tick ecology in Oklahoma were presented in several forums, including scientific meetings and extension-related presentations to laypersons in Oklahoma. These extension-related presentations have targeted specific populations who work outside in gardening activities and are at risk for tick-borne diseases. 2. Mosquito studies Results from a previously reported study focused on mosquito surveillance and pathogen testing in urban areas of Oklahoma were published in a peer-related journal. Results from past studies involving mosquito ecology in Oklahoma were presented in several forums, especially extension-related presentations for gardeners who are particularly at risk for mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus. Vector-borne pathogens in Oklahoma Results from the ectoparasite study were summarized and presented to peers at the OSU Center Veterinary Medicine. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?There is nothing to report. We will continue with the original plan.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the last reporting period, I continued tick and mosquito projects with the objectives to better understand the specific environments in which humans and animals interact with tick and mosquito vectors in the southern Great Plains. Firstly, I continued to focus on factors that affect tick-borne disease transmission in Central and Western Oklahoma. We began the process of analyzing a tick project in Oklahoma City in which 10,000+ ticks were collected in 16 sites over a two-year period. While most of the pathogens detected are not known problems for humans and animals, we did find low infection rates of R. parkeri, a rickettsia involved in Spotted Fever rickettsiosis, and three species of Ehrlichia, a tick-borne pathogen that is becoming more prevalent in central Oklahoma. We also conducted some surveillance in western Oklahoma counties where certain tick species have not yet been reported. In regards to mosquitoes, we analyzed a study completed in 6 small towns in southern Oklahoma where a variety of mosquito species, including Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus (the main species involved in dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus transmission) as well as Culex tarsalis (the main vector for West Nile virus on the Great Plains), were collected. Our goal from this study has been to identify predictable variables in small towns that could be used to prevent people-seeking mosquitoes. Under Goal 1: Explore the ecological and social determinates of tick-borne diseases in the South-central Great Plains region as they pertain to humans and animal health in specific landscape settings. We have begun the analysis of 10,000+ ticks (3 species) collected in Oklahoma City as well as testing DNA extracted from adult ticks for pathogens that impact humans and animals. At this point, we have found evidence of known pathogenic (Rickettsia parkeri, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and Panola Mountain Ehrlichia) and non-pathogenic (endosymbiotic) (Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae, R. amblyommatis, Borrelia lonestari) bacteria in tested ticks. We plan to continue to analyze the data in the coming year and prepare manuscripts for publication. In summer 2019, we continued surveillance activities in six counties in western Oklahoma where Lone Star ticks have not yet been reported. We found an established population in one county and a reported population in another. Through these studies, we are changing knowledge as to which pathogens are potentially impacting people and their animals in the southern Great Plains. We are also expanding knowledge as to where specific tick vectors are located so as to anticipate changes in disease epidemiology in the region. Under Goal 2: Assess the unique ecology of Aedes aegypti in the southern Great Plains as well as other invasive species as they pertain to the potential threat of arboviral outbreaks. We continued testing of extracted DNA from mosquitoes collected from 6 urban areas in Southern Oklahoma for Dirofilaria and Plasmodium DNA. While many dogs in these urban areas were found to be outside of the houses, we have not found a high rate of canine heartworm. We are currently working to integrate the data into our bigger study, looking at landscape variables from each city. A Ph.D. student in my lab continued to investigate how varying concentrations of eastern red cedar impact mosquito populations as well as the microclimate changes within individual trees. We have found that specific mosquito species, particularly the main species involved in West Nile virus transmission in Central and Western Oklahoma prefer to rest around Eastern redcedar trees. Through these studies, we are changing knowledge regarding the environments in which important mosquito species involved in disease transmission thrive. Our hope, at some point, is to develop some guidelines that will be helpful to local communities to mitigate current and future risks of mosquito-borne diseases. Under Goal 3: Investigate the emergent potential for other vector-borne pathogens in Oklahoma. A 2nd-yearveterinary student spent the summer identifying ectoparasites obtained from exotic animals (birds and mammals) at the OSU Center Veterinary Medicine between 2017-2019. We are expanding this important area of potential disease transmission as it is taking on a new significance as studies identify previously under-studied ectoparasites that might be reservoirs for different vector-borne diseases.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Garner KD, Payton ME, Talley JL, Noden BH. 2019. Olfactory responses of Amblyomma maculatum to rumen fluid and other odorants that attract blood-seeking arthropods. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12405.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bradt, D, Wormington JD, Long JM, Bradley KK, Hoback WW, Noden BH. 2019. Differences in mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) communities in six cities in Oklahoma. Journal of Medical Entomology 56(5) 13951403.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Hahn, H, Kanda, I, Brandao, J, Noden BH. 2019. Ectoparasite crawling on a host near you: A case series of ectoparasites in Central Oklahoma. Poster presented by HH at the Veterinary Student Research Symposium at the OSU Center Veterinary Medicine (July 2019), Stillwater, OK.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Noden, BH. 2019. While we were sleeping...case studies of vector-borne diseases in Oklahoma. Presentation by BHN in Symposium: Blood Feeding Arthropods of Veterinary and Medical Importance: Sharing Discoveries on Surveillance, Biology and Control at the 2019 Southwest Branch meeting of the Entomological Society of America (April 2019) in Tulsa, OK.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Roselli, MA, Loss, SR, Noden, BH. 2019. Multi-scale Predictors of Tick Abundance and Tick-borne Disease Risk Across an Urbanization Gradient. Presentation by MAR at the US Regional Association of the International Association of Landscape Ecologists meeting in Ft. Collins, Colorado (April 2019).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Roselli, MA, Noden, BH, Loss, SR. 2019. Multi-scale factors influencing tick populations and tick-borne pathogen prevalence across an urbanization gradient in Oklahoma City. Presentation by MAR at the Oklahoma Natural Resources Conference in Tulsa, OK (Feb 2019).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Noden, BH, Talley, J. 2019. Ticks and Health: Should I care about that tick crawling up my leg? Presentation by BHN at the Oklahoma Natural Resources Conference in Tulsa, OK (Feb 2019).