Dr. Wayne Kramer, Department of Entomology at Louisiana State Universtiy

Baton Rouge, Louisiana |

Wayne Kramer Associate Professor, LSU AgCenter Medical Entomology B.S. 1972 Iowa State University M.S. 1975 University of California, Riverside Ph.D. 1979 University of California, Riverside wkramer@agcenter.lsu.edu
Current Research Interests: I am interested in the ecology of vector-borne diseases, especially arboviruses, transmitted by mosquitoes. Complex relationships exist between these viruses, their vertebrate hosts and the mosquitoes that transmit them. They may have multiple mechanisms of transmission and maintenance from year to year. The virus we are currently studying the most is West Nile virus which was first detected in the United States in 1999 and in Louisiana in 2001. The most important vector of West Nile virus in Louisiana is Culex quinquefasciatus and we are currently engaged in studies to better understand the amplification cycle that exists between Cx. quinquefasciatus and the passerine bird species that serve as the primary vertebrate reservoirs of the virus. We are attempting to determine if Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes feed on birds preferentially or simply on the birds that are both most available and abundant. Other interests include the use of insects as a tool in forensic investigations. There is a need for more regional developmental data on blowflies (Calliphoridae) and other insects of forensic importance so that they can be better utilized in forensic investigations. Courses Taught: Entm 4007 Forensic Entomology Entm 7003 Medical / Veterinary Entomology Selected Publications: 1. Schweitzer, B.K., Kramer, W.L., Sambol, A.R., Meza, J.L., Hinrichs, S.H., and Peter C. Iwen, P.I. 2006. Geographic Factors Contributing to a High Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus-Specific Antibodies in Humans following an Epidemic. Clin. Vaccine Immunol. 2006 13: 314-318. 2. Janousek, T.E., and Kramer, W.L. 1999. Seasonal incidence and geographical variation of Nebraska mosquitoes, 1994-1995. J. Am. Mosq. Cont. Assoc. 15: 253-262. 3. Janousek, T.E. and Kramer, W.L. 1998. Surveillance for arthropod-borne viral activity in Nebraska. J. Med. Entomol. 35:758-762. 4. Greiner, E.C., Knausenberger, W.I. Messersmith, M., Kramer, W.L., and Gibbs, E.P.J. 1990. Culicoides associated with cattle in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and their relevance to bluetongue virus. J. Med. Entomol. 27: 1071-1073. 5. Kramer, W.L., Jones, R.H., Holbrook, F.R., Walton, T.E., and Calisher, C.H. 1990. Isolation of arboviruses from Culicoides midges during an epizootic of vesicular stomatitis New Jersey, 1982. J. Med. Entomol., 27:487-493. 6. Walton, T.E., Webb, P.A., Kramer, W.L., Smith, G.C., Davis, T., Holbrook, F.R., Moore C.G., Schiefer, T.J., Jones, R.H., and Janney, G.C. 1987. Epizootic vesicular stomatitis in Colorado, 1982: epidemiologic and entomologic studies. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 36:166-176. 7. Kramer, W.L., Greiner, E.C., and Gibbs, E.P.J. 1985. A survey of Culicoides midges associated with cattle in Florida, J. Med. Entomol. 22: 153-162. 8. Kramer, W.L., Greiner, E.C., and Gibbs, E.P.J. 1985. Seasonal variations in population size, fecundity and parity rates of Culicoides insignis at a cattle ranch in Florida. J. Med. Entomol. 22: 163-169.

Wayne Kramer

Associate Professor, LSU AgCenter

Medical Entomology

B.S. 1972 Iowa State University
M.S. 1975 University of California, Riverside
Ph.D. 1979 University of California, Riverside

wkramer@agcenter.lsu.edu

Current Research Interests:
       I am interested in the ecology of vector-borne diseases, especially arboviruses, transmitted by mosquitoes. Complex relationships exist between these viruses, their vertebrate hosts and the mosquitoes that transmit them. They may have multiple mechanisms of transmission and maintenance from year to year. The virus we are currently studying the most is West Nile virus which was first detected in the United States in 1999 and in Louisiana in 2001. The most important vector of West Nile virus in Louisiana is Culex quinquefasciatus and we are currently engaged in studies to better understand the amplification cycle that exists between Cx. quinquefasciatus and the passerine bird species that serve as the primary vertebrate reservoirs of the virus. We are attempting to determine if Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes feed on birds preferentially or simply on the birds that are both most available and abundant.

       Other interests include the use of insects as a tool in forensic investigations. There is a need for more regional developmental data on blowflies (Calliphoridae) and other insects of forensic importance so that they can be better utilized in forensic investigations.

Courses Taught:

Entm 4007 Forensic Entomology
Entm 7003 Medical / Veterinary Entomology

Selected Publications:

1. Schweitzer, B.K., Kramer, W.L., Sambol, A.R., Meza, J.L., Hinrichs, S.H., and Peter C. Iwen, P.I. 2006. Geographic Factors Contributing to a High Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus-Specific Antibodies in Humans following an Epidemic. Clin. Vaccine Immunol. 2006 13: 314-318.

2. Janousek, T.E., and Kramer, W.L. 1999. Seasonal incidence and geographical variation of Nebraska mosquitoes, 1994-1995. J. Am. Mosq. Cont. Assoc.   15: 253-262.

3. Janousek, T.E. and Kramer, W.L. 1998. Surveillance for arthropod-borne viral activity in Nebraska. J. Med. Entomol. 35:758-762.

4. Greiner, E.C., Knausenberger, W.I. Messersmith, M., Kramer, W.L., and Gibbs, E.P.J. 1990. Culicoides associated with cattle in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and their relevance to bluetongue virus. J. Med. Entomol. 27: 1071-1073.

5. Kramer, W.L., Jones, R.H., Holbrook, F.R., Walton, T.E., and Calisher, C.H. 1990. Isolation of arboviruses from Culicoides midges during an epizootic of vesicular stomatitis New Jersey, 1982. J. Med. Entomol., 27:487-493.

6. Walton, T.E., Webb, P.A., Kramer, W.L., Smith, G.C., Davis, T., Holbrook, F.R., Moore C.G., Schiefer, T.J., Jones, R.H., and Janney, G.C. 1987. Epizootic vesicular stomatitis in Colorado, 1982: epidemiologic and entomologic studies. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 36:166-176.

7. Kramer, W.L., Greiner, E.C., and Gibbs, E.P.J. 1985. A survey of Culicoides midges associated with cattle in Florida, J. Med. Entomol. 22: 153-162.

8. Kramer, W.L., Greiner, E.C., and Gibbs, E.P.J. 1985. Seasonal variations in population size, fecundity and parity rates of Culicoides insignis at a cattle ranch in Florida. J. Med. Entomol. 22: 163-169.