Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-8 (of 8 Records) |
Query Trace: Jones RT[original query] |
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The threat of vector-borne diseases in Sierra Leone
Jones RT , Tytheridge SJ , Smith SJ , Levine RS , Hodges MH , Ansumana R , Wulff S , Whitworth J , Logan JG . Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023 109 (1) 10-21 Sierra Leone is vulnerable to a wide range of vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, tsetse flies, black flies, and other vectors. Malaria, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis have posed the greatest threat and have received the most attention in terms of vector control and capacity for diagnosis. However, malaria infection rates remain high, and there is evidence of circulation of other vector-borne diseases, such as chikungunya and dengue, which may go undiagnosed and unreported. The limited understanding of the prevalence and transmission of these diseases restricts the capacity for predicting outbreaks, and impedes the planning of appropriate responses. We review the available literature and gather expert opinions from those working in the country to report on the status of vector-borne disease transmission and control in Sierra Leone, and present an assessment of the threats of these diseases. Our discussions highlight an absence of entomological testing for disease agents and the need for more investment in surveillance and capacity strengthening. |
The COVID-19 pandemic should not derail global vector control efforts.
Seelig F , Bezerra H , Cameron M , Hii J , Hiscox A , Irish S , Jones RT , Lang T , Lindsay SW , Lowe R , Nyoni TM , Power GM , Quintero J , Stewart-Ibarra AM , Tusting LS , Tytheridge S , Logan JG . PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 14 (8) e0008606 The COVID-19 pandemic is placing immense pressure on health systems worldwide. This is particularly apparent in resource-poor settings with limited capacity to treat and contain new disease outbreaks. | | The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasised the crucial need to sustain efforts to prevent, detect, and treat malaria during this pandemic [1]. However, a similar approach should also be adopted for the control of arboviral diseases of global importance, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever, as recommended by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) in their interim guidance on control of Aedes aegypti mosquitos during the COVID-19 pandemic [2]. |
Flea-associated bacterial communities across an environmental transect in a plague-endemic region of Uganda
Jones RT , Borchert J , Eisen R , MacMillan K , Boegler K , Gage KL . PLoS One 2015 10 (10) e0141057 The vast majority of human plague cases currently occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The primary route of transmission of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is via flea bites. Non-pathogenic flea-associated bacteria may interact with Y. pestis within fleas and it is important to understand what factors govern flea-associated bacterial assemblages. Six species of fleas were collected from nine rodent species from ten Ugandan villages between October 2010 and March 2011. A total of 660,345 16S rRNA gene DNA sequences were used to characterize bacterial communities of 332 individual fleas. The DNA sequences were binned into 421 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) based on 97% sequence similarity. We used beta diversity metrics to assess the effects of flea species, flea sex, rodent host species, site (i.e. village), collection date, elevation, mean annual precipitation, average monthly precipitation, and average monthly temperature on bacterial community structure. Flea species had the greatest effect on bacterial community structure with each flea species harboring unique bacterial lineages. The site (i.e. village), rodent host, flea sex, elevation, precipitation, and temperature also significantly affected bacterial community composition. Some bacterial lineages were widespread among flea species (e.g. Bartonella spp. and Wolbachia spp.), but each flea species also harbored unique bacterial lineages. Some of these lineages are not closely related to known bacterial diversity and likely represent newly discovered lineages of insect symbionts. Our finding that flea species has the greatest effect on bacterial community composition may help future investigations between Yersinia pestis and non-pathogenic flea-associated bacteria. Characterizing bacterial communities of fleas during a plague epizootic event in the future would be helpful. |
Exposing laboratory-reared fleas to soil and wild flea feces increases transmission of Yersinia pestis
Jones RT , Vetter SM , Gage KL . Am J Trop Med Hyg 2013 89 (4) 784-7 Laboratory-reared Oropsylla montana were exposed to soil and wild-caught Oropsylla montana feces for 1 week. Fleas from these two treatments and a control group of laboratory-reared fleas were infected with Yersinia pestis, the etiological agent of plague. Fleas exposed to soil transmitted Y. pestis to mice at a significantly greater rate (50.0% of mice were infected) than control fleas (23.3% of mice were infected). Although the concentration of Y. pestis in fleas did not differ among treatments, the minimum transmission efficiency of fleas from the soil and wild flea feces treatments (6.9% and 7.6%, respectively) were more than three times higher than in control fleas (2.2%). Our results suggest that exposing laboratory-reared fleas to diverse microbes alters transmission of Y. pestis. |
Yersinia pestis infection and laboratory conditions alter flea-associated bacterial communities
Jones RT , Vetter SM , Montenieiri J , Holmes J , Bernhardt SA , Gage KL . ISME J 2012 7 (1) 224-8 We collected Oropsylla montana from rock squirrels, Spermophilus varigatus, and infected a subset of collected fleas with Yersinia pestis, the etiological agent of plague. We used bar-tagged DNA pyrosequencing to characterize bacterial communities of wild, uninfected controls and infected fleas. Bacterial communities within Y. pestis-infected fleas were substantially more similar to one another than communities within wild or control fleas, suggesting that infection alters the bacterial community in a directed manner such that specific bacterial lineages are severely reduced in abundance or entirely eliminated from the community. Laboratory conditions also significantly altered flea-associated bacterial communities relative to wild communities, but much less so than Y. pestis infection. The abundance of Firmicutes decreased considerably in infected fleas, and Bacteroidetes were almost completely eliminated from both the control and infected fleas. Bartonella and Wolbachia were unaffected or responded positively to Y. pestis infection. (The ISME Journal advance online publication, 16 August 2012; doi:10.1038/ismej.2012.95.) |
Interactions among symbionts of Oropsylla spp. (Siphonoptera: Ceratophyllidae)
Jones RT , Bernhardt SA , Martin AP , Gage KL . J Med Entomol 2012 49 (3) 492-6 We used high-throughput DNA sequencing to explore bacterial communities of three species of Oropyslla fleas [Oropsylla hirsuta (Baker), Oropsylla montana (Baker), and Oropsylla tuberculata cynomuris (Jellison)] and detected seven bacterial lineages related to known insect symbionts. No significant co-occurrence patterns were detected among bacterial lineages, but relative abundance data suggest that the two most common lineages (Bartonella and Rickettsiales) interact negatively. Furthermore, presence of these two lineages significantly reduced bacterial diversity within fleas. |
The H1N1 crisis: a case study of the integration of mental and behavioral health in public health crises
Pfefferbaum B , Schonfeld D , Flynn BW , Norwood AE , Dodgen D , Kaul RE , Donato D , Stone B , Brown LM , Reissman DB , Jacobs GA , Hobfoll SE , Jones RT , Herrmann J , Ursano RJ , Ruzek JI . Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2012 6 (1) 67-71 In substantial numbers of affected populations, disasters adversely affect well-being and influence the development of emotional problems and dysfunctional behaviors. Nowhere is the integration of mental and behavioral health into broader public health and medical preparedness and response activities more crucial than in disasters such as the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza pandemic. The National Biodefense Science Board, recognizing that the mental and behavioral health responses to H1N1 were vital to preserving safety and health for the country, requested that the Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee recommend actions for public health officials to prevent and mitigate adverse behavioral health outcomes during the H1N1 pandemic. The subcommittee's recommendations emphasized vulnerable populations and concentrated on interventions, education and training, and communication and messaging. The subcommittee's H1N1 activities and recommendations provide an approach and template for identifying and addressing future efforts related to newly emerging public health and medical emergencies. The many emotional and behavioral health implications of the crisis and the importance of psychological factors in determining the behavior of members of the public argue for a programmatic integration of behavioral health and science expertise in a comprehensive public health response. |
The integration of mental and behavioral health into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery
Pfefferbaum B , Flynn BW , Schonfeld D , Brown LM , Jacobs GA , Dodgen D , Donato D , Kaul RE , Stone B , Norwood AE , Reissman DB , Herrmann J , Hobfoll SE , Jones RT , Ruzek JI , Ursano RJ , Taylor RJ , Lindley D . Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2012 6 (1) 60-66 The close interplay between mental health and physical health makes it critical to integrate mental and behavioral health considerations into all aspects of public health and medical disaster management. Therefore, the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) convened the Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee to assess the progress of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in integrating mental and behavioral health into disaster and emergency preparedness and response activities. One vital opportunity to improve integration is the development of clear and directive national policy to firmly establish the role of mental and behavioral health as part of a unified public health and medical response to disasters. Integration of mental and behavioral health into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery requires it to be incorporated in assessments and services, addressed in education and training, and founded on and advanced through research. Integration must be supported in underlying policies and administration with clear lines of responsibility for formulating and implementing policy and practice. |
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