Chun-xiao Li

Chun-xiao Li


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 March 2025 in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
WZWei-Xian Zhang
Wei-Xian Zhang
TZTian-Yu Zhao
Tian-Yu Zhao
CWCun-Chen Wang
Cun-Chen Wang
YHYong He
Yong He
HLHong-Zheng Lu
Hong-Zheng Lu
SDSheng-Qun Deng
Sheng-Qun Deng
Background: Dengue, the fastest-spreading vector-borne disease (VBD), significantly burdens global health systems. This study analyzed the trends in the global burden of dengue from 1990 to 2021, utilizing data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 (GBD 2021). Methodology/Principal findings: We retrieved data from GBD 2021 regarding dengue, including the number of incidences and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), the number of deaths and age-standardized death rate (ASDR), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and age-standardized DALYs. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of ASIR, ASDR, and standardized DALYs rate was calculated to quantify trends over time. In addition, the correlations between dengue burden and sea level rise, as well as the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI), were evaluated. In this study, it was observed that from 1990 to 2021, the global incidence of dengue escalated from 26.45 million to 58.96 million cases, accompanied by an increase in related deaths from 14,315 to 29,075, and DALYs rising from 1.25 million to 2.08 million years. These data collectively indicate that the disease burden approximately doubled, with South Asia, Southeast Asia, and tropical Latin America being the most severely affected regions. The disease burden remained substantial in middle and low-middle-SDI regions, whereas high-middle and high SDI regions experienced pronounced growth rates in ASIR, ASDR, and age-standardized DALYs rate. Adolescents and the elderly showed higher incidence, yet children under 5 had the highest DALYs. Correlation analyses revealed an inverted U-shaped relationship between the SDI and both the ASDR and age-standardized DALYs rate, and changes in sea level height strongly correlated with the overall dengue burden. Conclusions/Significance: The global dengue burden has surged due to climate change, vector transmission, and population mobility. Increased focus and tailored control strategies are essential, particularly in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

4 November 2022 in Scientific Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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DZDe-Zhong Zhao
De-Zhong Zhao
XWXin-Kai Wang
Xin-Kai Wang
TZTeng Zhao
Teng Zhao
HLHu Li
Hu Li
DXDan Xing
Dan Xing
CLChun-xiao Li
Chun-xiao Li
Mosquito transmit numbers of parasites and pathogens resulting in fatal diseases. Species identification is a prerequisite for effective mosquito control. Existing morphological and molecular classification methods have evitable disadvantages. Here we introduced Deep learning techniques for mosquito species identification. A balanced, high-definition mosquito dataset with 9900 original images covering 17 species was constructed. After three rounds of screening and adjustment-testing (first round among 3 convolutional neural networks and 3 Transformer models, second round among 3 Swin Transformer variants, and third round between 2 images sizes), we proposed the first Swin Transformer-based mosquito species identification model (Swin MSI) with 99.04% accuracy and 99.16% F1-score. By visualizing the identification process, the morphological keys used in Swin MSI were similar but not the same as those used by humans. Swin MSI realized 100% subspecies-level identification inCulex pipiensComplex and 96.26% accuracy for novel species categorization. It presents a promising approach for mosquito identification and mosquito borne diseases control.

29 January 2024 in Science of The Total Environment
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JLJian-Hang Li
Jian-Hang Li
XLXiao-Hui Liu
Xiao-Hui Liu
GLGuo-Rui Liang
Guo-Rui Liang
HGHe-Ting Gao
He-Ting Gao
SGSi-Han Guo
Si-Han Guo
CLChun-xiao Li
Chun-xiao Li
Microplastics (MPs) transfer from the environment to living organisms is a nonignorable global problem. As a complete metamorphosis insect, the larvae and adult Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito live in aquatic and terrestrial environments, respectively, where they easily access MPs. However, little is known about mosquitoes' potential role in MPs accumulation throughout ecosystems. Therefore, we conducted a study with different MPs particle sizes (0.1/1/10 μm) and concentrations (0.5/5/50 μg/mL) on Cx. quinquefasciatus to address this issue. Once exposed at the young larval stage, MPs could accompany the mosquitoes their entire life. The fluorescence signals of MPs in the larvae were mainly located in the intestines. Its intensity increased (from 3.72 × 106 AU to 5.45 × 107 AU) as the concentrations of MPs increases. The fluorescence signals of MPs were also detected in the blood and skin tissues of mice bitten by adult mosquitoes with MPs containing in their bodies. Mosquitos exposed to MPs showed longer larval pupation and eclosion time as well as lower adult body weight. In addition, MPs significantly reduced the lethal effect of pyrethroid insecticides (97.77 % vs. 48.88 %, p < 0.05) with 15.1 % removal of the deltamethrin concentration. After MPs exposure, the relative abundance of the Cx. quinquefasciatus gut microbiome, such as Wolbachia spp., Elizabethkingia spp., and Asaia spp., changed as the MPs size and concentration changes. Mosquitoes provide a new pathway for MPs accumulation and transfer to higher-level living organisms. Moreover, MPs significantly reduce the control effect of deltamethrin, providing new guidelines for mosquito insecticide application in MPs contamination circumstances.

15 October 2025 in Biosafety and Health
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
TZTeng Zhao
Teng Zhao
TCTeng Chen
Teng Chen
JZJie Zhang
Jie Zhang
CLChun-xiao Li
Chun-xiao Li
CQCheng-Feng Qin
Cheng-Feng Qin
• Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) re-emerged in China with ongoing global dissemination. • Adaptive viral mutations enhance vector fitness and expand epidemic risk. • Primary vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus behaviors boost transmission efficiency. • A live-attenuated and a recombinant virus-like particle vaccine are licensed; more candidate vaccines advancing.

23 October 2025 in Infectious Diseases of Poverty
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
XZXinyu Zhou
Xinyu Zhou
XXXiaoxue Xie
Xiaoxue Xie
WWWenhao Wang
Wenhao Wang
HGHeting Gao
Heting Gao
KWKai Wang
Kai Wang
CLChun-xiao Li
Chun-xiao Li
Background: Since July 2025, an outbreak of mosquito-borne chikungunya fever has occurred in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China. This was the second large-scale local outbreak in China after the one that occurred in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, in 2010. As of 23 August, more than 10,000 human cases had been reported. This study aims to investigate mosquito infection and viral genomic characteristics during the Foshan outbreak. Methods: Adult Aedes albopictus were collected using BioGents Sentinel trap in three hotspot towns (Beijiao, Chencun and Lecong). Mosquitoes were morphologically identified and pooled by species, sex and environment type. Each pool was homogenized, and the homogenate was clarified by centrifugation; and the supernatant was used for viral RNA isolation. The isolated RNA was screened using CHIKV RT-qPCR. Positive pools underwent Sanger sequencing and whole-genome sequencing. The CHIKV lineage and mutational profiles were inferred using maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis and comparison with human- and mosquito-derived genomes. Results: Over 11 days of trapping, 2803 mosquitoes were captured. 1569 (55.97%) female Ae. albopictus were divided into 77 pools and 9.09% (7/77) of these pools were CHIKV-positive. The minimum infection rate (MIR, per 1000 females) for local Ae. albopictus was 4.46, while the MIR for residences in Lecong Town was the highest at 9.17 per 1000 females. The MIR for parklands was slightly higher than for residences (4.60 vs. 4.30 per 1000 females). Five complete Ae. albopictus -derived CHIKV genome clustered within the East/Central/South African-Indian Ocean lineage genotype, and harbored novel E1 and E2 mutations consistent with those detected in the 2025 Reunion Island human strain. Amino-acid mutations E1-A226V/E2-L210Q were detected, enhancing adaptability to Ae. albopictus and increasing the transmission capacity. Conclusions: This study represents the first mosquito-derived CHIKV whole-genome sequence obtained from the 2025 Foshan outbreak. Ae. albopictus was confirmed as the primary vector, and the presence of adaptive mutations indicated an enhanced transmission potential. Despite the outbreak emerging earlier in the season and affecting a dense urban population, it was effectively controlled through timely and intensive vector interventions. These findings highlighted the critical role of mosquito surveillance in early outbreak preparedness and effective vector management. Graphical

2 March 2025 in Insects
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RZRuixiang Zhang
Ruixiang Zhang
TZTeng Zhao
Teng Zhao
DXDan Xing
Dan Xing
XZXin-yu Zhou
Xin-yu Zhou
HYHaotian Yu
Haotian Yu
CLChun-xiao Li
Chun-xiao Li
Background: Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSBs) are an innovative vector control strategy based on the “attract-and-kill” principle. The core of ATSBs lies in the preparation of attractive and toxic baits through the mixing and proportioning of luring and active ingredients. Although previous studies have investigated the effects of ATSBs on mosquitoes, significant challenges remain for broader field application. Methods: This study evaluated five fruit juices as ATSBs for mosquitoes, focusing on feeding preferences. Preservative concentrations were assessed by measuring antimicrobial activity over time. Two commercial traps were tested for mosquito entry rates. The optimal insecticide species and concentration were determined based on mortality rates. An optimized ATSBs system was developed and tested under a semi-field cage. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism. Results: Within 24 h, apple juice-based ATSBs had the highest attractant index for Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles sinensis, while a pear juice-based ATSB was most effective for Aedes albopictus. A 0.1% preservative concentration best maintained juice stability. The LC50 values of dinotefuran-based ATSBs for Cx. quinquefasciatus, Ae. albopictus, and An. sinensis were 1.18 × 10−3, 4.06 × 10−4, and 5.20 × 10−5 g/L, respectively. The Spodoptera frugiperda trap outperformed the Drosophilidae trap. Simulated semi-field cage tests showed 48 h mortality rates of 86.00% for Cx. quinquefasciatus and 95.67% for Ae. albopictus. Conclusion: This study optimized an ATSB system by screening various fruit juices, preservative concentrations, insecticides, and trap devices. The system’s efficacy in mosquito control was evaluated under a semi-field cage. These findings provide a strong foundation for the future application and refinement of ATSB-based mosquito control strategies.