Tiny as it is, the mosquito is an inveterate pest capable of creating mild, itchy aggravation or widespread illness and inspiring countless campaigns for its eradication. Easy as it is to blame for such epidemics as the current Zika and Chikungunya outbreaks, it’s not entirely the mosquito that’s responsible - the bug is just a vessel or, in biological terms, a vector. In fact, as research being done by Creighton University’s Carol Fassbinder-Orth, PhD, is showing, targeting not just the mosquito, but the virus residing in the insect could aid in preventing or predicting outbreaks similar to those in South America and Africa.
By taking aim at the genetics of the virus while it’s in the insect vector, Fassbinder-Orth is hoping to show how stepping back from the study of the virus in a human host and looking at its origin in a mosquito or other insect vector could help break the chain of the virus’ transmission.
“To be able to understand how the replication dynamics are occurring in these insect vectors would be the ideal,” says Fassbinder-Orth, an associate professor of zoonotic diseases in the Department of Biology. “Then, to be able to utilize RNA interference or another molecular technique to interfere with the replication process or even turn the virus against itself, that could help us predict something like what we’re seeing with Zika or Chikungunya and stop it before the crisis develops.”
The two mosquito species that carry Zika and Chikungunya, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, have made their way to the United States, with Aedes albopictus reaching an invasive distribution across much of the Eastern and Southern U.S.
Fassbinder-Orth is hoping continued research, aided by an NIH IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant will help her lab look at wider samples of the insects and get a better handle on how best to interrupt the virus’ replication process or encourage defective particles to develop in the virus might help slow or stop its growth in a mosquito and thereby lessen its impact on human populations.
“We want to know as much about these insects as possible,” she says. “It’s a long way from a final application step, but it is a basic science step and we have to start there in order to have a potential end result.”
Source: Creighton University
Dear Helpdesk: Working in a Toxic Health Care Environment
March 28th 2024Dear Helpdesk is your steadfast companion, offering life coaching and workplace advice from 2 seasoned IPs for some of your most challenging real-life situations. Let us help you navigate the intersection between work and life, guiding you to navigate the dynamic world of infection prevention with confidence and grace. This article is on handling a toxic health care environment.
Product Locator: Spring and Early Mother's Day Gift Guide for Infection Prevention Personnel
March 27th 2024Whether it's a spring holiday, birthdays, or no reason at all, infection prevention personnel love to give and receive gifts that help at the end of a stressful day. Infection Control Today® offers some gift ideas for infection prevention personnel and their families.
Catching Up With Vangie Dennis, AORN 2022-2023 President at AORN 2024
March 26th 2024Infection Control Today (ICT) had the privilege of catching up with Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses' (AORN’s) International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024. As the former president of AORN and an esteemed figure in perioperative services, Vangie Dennis shared insights into her recent endeavors and the exciting new chapter she's embarked upon.
How To Optimize Your Time Management Strategies for the Busy Infection Preventionist
March 25th 2024Is your calendar resembling a chaotic masterpiece of overlapping tasks? Join the club of infection preventionists striving to balance responsibilities. Dive into proven strategies from a fellow infection preventionist to reclaim control of your time, streamline tasks, and boost productivity effectively. This is an IP Lifeline article.