Mauricio D Beranek1,2, Agustín I Quaglia2, Giovana C Peralta3, Fernando S Flores2,4, Marina Stein1, Luis A Diaz2,5, Walter R Almirón5, Marta S Contigiani2. 1. Área Entomología, Instituto de Medicina Regional, CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina. 2. Laboratorio de Arbovirus y Arenavirus, Instituto de Virología "Dr J. M. Vanella", CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina. 3. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina. 4. Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral, CONICET, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina. 5. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) is endemic and autochthonous on the American continent. Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus is a vector of SLEV; however, Culex interfor and Culex saltanensis have also been found to be naturally infected with SLEV. The aim of this study was to determine the vector competence of C. interfor and C. saltanensis for SLEV from Argentina compared with C. p. quinquefasciatus. METHODS: Female of the Culex species were orally infected by feeding on viraemic chicks that had been inoculated with SLEV. Abdomens, legs and saliva blood-fed mosquitoes were analysed by viral plaque assay. RESULTS: Mosquitoes were susceptible to orally acquired infection, dissemination and transmission of SLEV in the saliva. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that C. saltanensis and C. interfor are susceptible to SLEV and competent for its transmission.
BACKGROUND:St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) is endemic and autochthonous on the American continent. Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus is a vector of SLEV; however, Culex interfor and Culex saltanensis have also been found to be naturally infected with SLEV. The aim of this study was to determine the vector competence of C. interfor and C. saltanensis for SLEV from Argentina compared with C. p. quinquefasciatus. METHODS: Female of the Culex species were orally infected by feeding on viraemic chicks that had been inoculated with SLEV. Abdomens, legs and saliva blood-fed mosquitoes were analysed by viral plaque assay. RESULTS: Mosquitoes were susceptible to orally acquired infection, dissemination and transmission of SLEV in the saliva. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that C. saltanensis and C. interfor are susceptible to SLEV and competent for its transmission.