Biology subjects

Szentivanyi, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Szentivanyi, T..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Can digital epidemiology indicate the emergence and current distribution of canine dirofilariosis?

The emergence and spread of vector-borne pathogens, such as the mosquito-borne parasite Dirofilaria immitis, the causative agent of canine heartworm disease pose increasing challenges for public and veterinary health. These parasites have expanded from Southern Europe into Central and Eastern Europe, where locally acquired transmission is increasingly documented in pets and wild animals, and is now considered an emerging infectious disease. Understanding the dynamics of its emergence and public awareness is essential for effective surveillance and intervention. Here, we evaluated whether human online search behavior, as measured by Google Trends (GT), reflects patterns of dirofilariosis emergence in Hungary. We analyzed GT data for heartworm-related terms from 2012 to 2025, exploring geographical and temporal trends. Our analyses revealed a sustained increase in search interest over time beginning in 2012, with pronounced rise after 2015. Spatially, the highest relative search volumes were concentrated in southeastern Hungary. We found a strong positive association between regional search activity and mosquito infection rate. These findings demonstrate that GT-derived data accurately mirror both the temporal increase and geographic distribution of canine dirofilariosis, supporting the use of digital epidemiology as a complementary surveillance tool to inform public health and veterinary strategies for emerging vector-borne diseases.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2026

The effect of ULV-based mosquito control on target and non-target organisms in Hungary: an experimental field study

Ultra-low volume (ULV) insecticide spraying with deltamethrin as the active ingredient is widely used in mosquito control programs, yet its effectiveness against target mosquitoes and its ecological side effects remain poorly quantified under field conditions in Central Europe. Here, we experimentally evaluated the short-term impact of ground ULV spraying on both mosquito populations and non-target flying insects in Hungary using a paired before-after-control-impact (BACI) design. Mosquitoes were sampled with BG Sentinel traps, while non-target insects were collected using malaise traps. ULV treatment resulted in a significant reduction in mosquito abundance at treated sites, with an average decline of approximately 45%. Native and invasive mosquito species, including Aedes albopictus and Aedes koreicus, showed similar proportional decreases. However, treatment effectiveness varied substantially among sites and was influenced by initial mosquito abundance and wind conditions. In parallel, malaise trap samples revealed a marked decline in non-target flying insects, with reductions exceeding 40% across multiple taxonomic groups, particularly among small- and medium-sized insects, and also when considering pollinator taxa together. Our results indicate that while ULV spraying can temporarily reduce mosquito abundance, it also imposes considerable short-term impacts on non-target insect communities, highlighting trade-offs between vector control and insect conservation within mosquito management programs.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Discovery of a Novel Coltivirus in a Newly Identified Bat Bug Species (Heteroptera: Cimicidae) in Cambodia

Bats and their ectoparasites are significant reservoirs and potential vectors of emerging zoonotic pathogens, yet the viral diversity within bat-associated arthropods remains poorly characterized. This study reports the identification of a novel coltivirus (order Reovirales), provisionally designated Stricticimex coltivirus (SCCV), in a newly described bat bug species, Stricticimex phnomsampovensis, collected from cave-dwelling wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats (Mops plicatus) in Cambodia. Metagenomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that SCCV clusters within the Coltivirus genus, showing closest similarity to Tai Forest Reovirus (TFRV) previously isolated from African bats. SCCV was detected in 18.4% of examined bat bugs and successfully isolated in VeroE6 cells, with replication confirmed in multiple mammalian cell lines. The discovery of SCCV extends the known diversity and geographic range of Coltivirus and highlights bat ectoparasites as overlooked hosts of potentially zoonotic viruses. These findings underscore the importance of integrated One Health surveillance targeting both bats and their ectoparasites to better assess the risk of pathogen spillover in biodiverse regions with high human-animal contact. Author SummaryIn this study, we identify a novel Coltivirus, named Stricticimex coltivirus (SCCV), in a newly described bat bug species collected from cave-dwelling bats in Cambodia. Using metagenomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, we find that SCCV is closely related to Tai Forest Reovirus, previously identified in African bats. We successfully isolated the virus in mammalian cell lines, suggesting potential to infect vertebrate hosts. This discovery not only expands the known diversity of Coltiviruses, but also underscores the role of bat ectoparasites as underexplored reservoirs of potentially zoonotic viruses. Our findings emphasize the importance of integrated One Health surveillance efforts targeting both bats and their ectoparasites to better assess the risk of virus spillover in regions where human and wildlife habitats overlap.

microbiology↗