Biology subjects

Frutos, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Frutos, R..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Heterogeneous transmission estimation and strategy optimization for Chikungunya: a vector-borne modeling study differentiating age and sex

Against the backdrop of global climate change and accelerating population mobility in 2025, chikungunya fever (CHIKF) exhibited a trend of worldwide spread, significantly increasing the difficulty of controlling tropical mosquito-borne diseases. To enhance the precision of intervention strategies, this study developed an age- and sex-structured human-mosquito interaction dynamic model based on data from the largest CHIKF outbreak ever recorded in China, and conducted a targeted analysis of prevention and control strategies. By decomposing the basic reproduction number and examining population heterogeneity, asymptomatic males aged 15-59 years were identified as the core transmission group. Optimal control analysis revealed that the synergistic implementation of three measures-- reducing the effective human-to-mosquito transmission rate, reducing the effective mosquito-to-human transmission rate, and suppressing mosquito population density--could reduce the overall infection rate by 95.7586%. Among these, mosquito population suppression should be prioritized as a universal core strategy; however, its protective effect on females aged 60 years and above was relatively weak, warranting particular attention. The study further demonstrated that asymmetric intensity combinations targeting these three intervention pathways--such as intensity profiles of "10%, 90%, 90%" or "60%, 80%, 90%"--could achieve effective outbreak control. This research elucidates population-specific transmission patterns and key pathways for intervention intensity, providing a theoretical and strategic foundation for the precise control of mosquito-borne diseases. It also provides actionable operational insights to support rapid response and strategy optimization for future emerging outbreaks. Author summaryCHIKF is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is gradually spreading from tropical regions to other areas. To achieve more precise control of this disease, we developed an age- and sex-structured analytical model based on the largest CHIKF outbreak in China, aiming to provide a scientific basis for responding to potential future outbreaks with inherent uncertainties. The study found that asymptomatic males aged 15-59 years were the primary drivers of transmission and should be prioritized as a key population for reducing viral spread in prevention efforts. When evaluating the effectiveness of different intervention strategies, females aged 60 years and above were the least affected by the implemented measures, indicating that this group should strengthen personal protection to lower their infection risk. Among all control measures, mosquito suppression was the most effective, suggesting that vector control strategies should be prioritized in future outbreak responses.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2025

Anopheles barbirostris in Indonesia: A more complex metapopulation than expected.

Anopheles barbirostris, a member of the Barbirostris Subgroup in the Anopheles genus, comprises a complex of species in South and Southeast Asia. This An. barbirostris complex includes eight species such as An. barbirostris sensu stricto (s.s.), An. campestris, An. dissidens, An. donaldi, An. saeungae, An. sarpangensis, An. vanderwulpi, and An. wejchoochotei. This study employed molecular markers, including ITS2 and COI genes, to investigate the phylogenetic relationships within An. barbirostris sensu lato (s.l.) populations from various locations in Indonesia. The analysis reveals the presence of nine distinct populations within this complex, including the first report of An. wejchoochotei in North Sulawesi and an unique Barbirostris population in Magelang, Central Java. This makes it a more complex metapopulation than previously thought. These findings provide critical insights into the diversity of malaria and lymphatic filariasis vectors in Indonesia. Understanding the complex structure of the An. barbirostris populations and their genetic diversity will be useful for effective vector control and disease elimination strategies.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Evaluation of Fecal Immunoassays for Canine Echinococcus Infection in China

Human echinococcosis is present worldwide but it is in China that prevalence is the highest. Western China and in particular the Tibetan plateau is the region where the burden of echinococcosis is the most important. Dogs are a major carrier of echinococcosis and monitoring the presence of Echinococcus worms in dogs is therefore essential for efficiently controlling the disease. Detection kits based on three different technologies, i.e. sandwich ELISA, ELISA and gold immunodiffusion are currently marketed and used in China. The objective of this work was to assess the efficacy of these kits, in particular with respect to sensitivity and specificity. Four fecal antigen detection kits for canine echinococcosis covering the three technologies were obtained from companies and tested in parallel on 220 fecal samples. The results indicate that the performance is lower than expected, in particular in terms of sensitivity. The best results were obtained with the sandwich ELISA technology. The gold immunofiltration yielded the poorest results. In all cases, further development is needed to improve the performance of these kits, which represent a key element for the control of echinococcosis. Author summaryAlthough present worldwide, human echinococcosis is at its highest prevalence in Western China and particularly on the Tibetan plateau. Controlling echinococcosis is a national priority and routine monitoring must be established. Dogs are the main carriers of echinococcosis and surveying Echinococcus worms in dogs is therefore a key issue. Commercial detection kits are currently in use in China for monitoring the presence of Echinococcosis in dogs. These kits are based on three different technologies, i.e. sandwich ELISA with two monoclonal antibodies, ELISA, and gold immunodiffusion. National survey programs are essential for the control of echinococcosis and it is thus very important to assess the efficacy of these kits, planned to be used for the national survey programs. The work was thus undertaken to assess this efficacy, in particular with respect to sensitivity and specificity. Four fecal antigen detection kits for canine echinococcosis covering the three technologies were obtained from companies and tested in parallel on 220 fecal samples. The performance was lower than expected, in particular for their sensitivity, which ranged from 51.5% to 83.9% with only two samples displaying a worm burden lower than 100. Three out of four kits showed non-specific cross-reactions with other parasites. The best results were obtained with the sandwich ELISA technology, whereas gold immunofiltration yielded the poorest results. However, in all cases, further development is strongly needed to improve the performance of these kits, which represent a key element for the control of echinococcosis.

zoology↗