A device designed by researchers to collect mosquito droppings has revealed the first known evidence of a Hedwig-like virus in the Americas, along with other viruses that may be new.
Hot Topics
About half of Libyans drink contaminated water What is the scientific reason?
Mauritania's blue treasure is in danger Will the map of fish in the Atlantic be redrawn?
The Citrus Secret Everyone's Talking About: Burn More, Crave Less & Feel Great Naturally
Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey 3D-printed the device, calling it the "mosquito toilet," as it collects insect waste to analyze the genetic material in it, in a way similar to analyzing sewage water to monitor the spread of viruses.
"What we did, quite simply, was build a toilet for mosquitoes," said Dana Price, lead author of the study and associate professor at the Center for Vector Biology.
The researchers placed the device in a backyard in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where they collected droppings from two groups, each containing 50 wild Culex mosquitoes.
Analysis of the samples showed the presence of the complete genome of West Nile virus in one of the samples, in addition to the first known evidence of a Hedwig-like virus in the Americas, as well as genetic material for other viruses that may be new.
The Hedwig-like virus is poorly studied, and researchers do not yet fully understand its natural hosts or how it is transmitted. There is currently no evidence that it causes disease in humans.
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can infect humans, birds, horses, and other animals. Most infected individuals show no symptoms, while about one in five may experience a mild illness including fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, and nausea. In rare cases, the virus can cause serious neurological conditions, such as meningitis or encephalitis.
Researchers believe that analyzing mosquito droppings could offer a simpler alternative to traditional surveillance methods, which require collecting, classifying, and grinding large numbers of insects for laboratory testing. Current methods also often focus on known pathogens, while the new approach allows for the detection of a wider range of viruses, including those yet to be discovered.
Price said that obtaining the complete viral genome provides researchers with information that goes beyond simply knowing whether a sample is positive or negative, and can help them track the emergence, spread, and mutation of virus strains.
Researchers are currently continuing to examine samples from dead birds in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine if they carry the Hedwig-like virus.
The study results were published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum.
what is your opinion on this news ?do let us know in the comments on tha comment box
if you liked this news article please share on friends & family & don't forget to follow on website & social media
Harm
ReplyDelete