Congratulations to our 2023 CREID Pilot Awardees
Photo credit: Jalika Joyner
Virome diversity across ecological niches in mosquito vectors
Miguel Garcia Knight, PhD - National Autonomous University of Mexico
In this study, Dr. Garcia Knight and his research team will focus on virome diversity in Ae. aegypti formosus (Aaf) and Ae. aegypti aegypti (Aaa) subspecies, which have contrasting susceptibilities to arboviruses. Mosquito populations from Western Uganda and the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico will be included in this study. As the viromes of mosquitos mainly consist of insect-specific viruses (ISV), the team will assess if core viromes are a common feature in mosquito species and the taxonomic rank at which they are structured. Further, they will compare the antiviral immune responses to core and non-core ISVs and to arboviruses across mosquito species. The results will help assess whether ISVs play a role in arbovirus outbreak dynamics and whether virome composition and diversity is influenced by environmental factors such as habitat degradation and urbanization. Dr. Garcia Knight will be mentored by Dr. Lark Coffey at UC Davis (EpiCenter) and Dr. Andrew Routh at UTMB (WAC-EID).
Application of mNGS to identify etiologies of acute undifferentiated fever in the Peruvian Amazon
Francesca Falconi Agapito, PhD - Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Phillippe Selhorst, PhD - Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp
In tropical regions, roughly half of patients with acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses remain undiagnosed, creating hurdles for effective treatment and management. This study led by Drs. Falconi Agapito and Selhorst aims to leverage metagenomic sequencing to enhance clinical diagnostics and public health surveillance. By analyzing serum samples collected from febrile patients in Peru between 2018-2021, focusing on those that have already tested negative for common pathogens, the research seeks to uncover the circulating pathogens responsible for these cases. The study evaluates the diagnostic value and cost-effectiveness of this approach, while also setting the stage for further exploration using full genome sequences to address epidemiological questions regarding disease spread, origin, and the impact of viral evolution on disease severity and transmission. Drs. Falconi Agapito and Selhorst will be mentored by Dr. Amy Morrison of UC Davis (EpiCenter).
