Modernizing the Toolkit for Arthropod Bloodmeal Identification
Understanding vertebrate–vector interactions is vitally important for understanding the transmission dynamics of arthropod-vectored pathogens and depends on the ability to accurately identify the vertebrate source of blood-engorged arthropods in field collections using molecular methods. A decade ag...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/1/37 |
| _version_ | 1827698259364151296 |
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| author | Erin M. Borland Rebekah C. Kading |
| author_facet | Erin M. Borland Rebekah C. Kading |
| author_sort | Erin M. Borland |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Understanding vertebrate–vector interactions is vitally important for understanding the transmission dynamics of arthropod-vectored pathogens and depends on the ability to accurately identify the vertebrate source of blood-engorged arthropods in field collections using molecular methods. A decade ago, molecular techniques being applied to arthropod blood meal identification were thoroughly reviewed, but there have been significant advancements in the techniques and technologies available since that time. This review highlights the available diagnostic markers in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA and discusses their benefits and shortcomings for use in molecular identification assays. Advances in real-time PCR, high resolution melting analysis, digital PCR, next generation sequencing, microsphere assays, mass spectrometry, and stable isotope analysis each offer novel approaches and advantages to bloodmeal analysis that have gained traction in the field. New, field-forward technologies and platforms have also come into use that offer promising solutions for point-of-care and remote field deployment for rapid bloodmeal source identification. Some of the lessons learned over the last decade, particularly in the fields of DNA barcoding and sequence analysis, are discussed. Though many advancements have been made, technical challenges remain concerning the prevention of sample degradation both by the arthropod before the sample has been obtained and during storage. This review provides a roadmap and guide for those considering modern techniques for arthropod bloodmeal identification and reviews how advances in molecular technology over the past decade have been applied in this unique biomedical context. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:26:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3d4e737a2df749528318c84de9bf13bf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:26:55Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-3d4e737a2df749528318c84de9bf13bf2023-11-21T08:44:05ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502021-01-011213710.3390/insects12010037Modernizing the Toolkit for Arthropod Bloodmeal IdentificationErin M. Borland0Rebekah C. Kading1Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USADepartment of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USAUnderstanding vertebrate–vector interactions is vitally important for understanding the transmission dynamics of arthropod-vectored pathogens and depends on the ability to accurately identify the vertebrate source of blood-engorged arthropods in field collections using molecular methods. A decade ago, molecular techniques being applied to arthropod blood meal identification were thoroughly reviewed, but there have been significant advancements in the techniques and technologies available since that time. This review highlights the available diagnostic markers in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA and discusses their benefits and shortcomings for use in molecular identification assays. Advances in real-time PCR, high resolution melting analysis, digital PCR, next generation sequencing, microsphere assays, mass spectrometry, and stable isotope analysis each offer novel approaches and advantages to bloodmeal analysis that have gained traction in the field. New, field-forward technologies and platforms have also come into use that offer promising solutions for point-of-care and remote field deployment for rapid bloodmeal source identification. Some of the lessons learned over the last decade, particularly in the fields of DNA barcoding and sequence analysis, are discussed. Though many advancements have been made, technical challenges remain concerning the prevention of sample degradation both by the arthropod before the sample has been obtained and during storage. This review provides a roadmap and guide for those considering modern techniques for arthropod bloodmeal identification and reviews how advances in molecular technology over the past decade have been applied in this unique biomedical context.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/1/37arthropod vectorsbloodmeal analysismolecular barcodingmolecular advancesfield-forward |
| spellingShingle | Erin M. Borland Rebekah C. Kading Modernizing the Toolkit for Arthropod Bloodmeal Identification Insects arthropod vectors bloodmeal analysis molecular barcoding molecular advances field-forward |
| title | Modernizing the Toolkit for Arthropod Bloodmeal Identification |
| title_full | Modernizing the Toolkit for Arthropod Bloodmeal Identification |
| title_fullStr | Modernizing the Toolkit for Arthropod Bloodmeal Identification |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modernizing the Toolkit for Arthropod Bloodmeal Identification |
| title_short | Modernizing the Toolkit for Arthropod Bloodmeal Identification |
| title_sort | modernizing the toolkit for arthropod bloodmeal identification |
| topic | arthropod vectors bloodmeal analysis molecular barcoding molecular advances field-forward |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/1/37 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT erinmborland modernizingthetoolkitforarthropodbloodmealidentification AT rebekahckading modernizingthetoolkitforarthropodbloodmealidentification |