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The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene2010; 82(6); 1047-1052; doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0556

Vector competence of Culex (Melanoconion) taeniopus for equine-virulent subtype IE strains of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.

Abstract: The mosquito Culex (Melanoconion) taeniopus is a proven vector of enzootic Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) subtype IE in Central America. It has been shown to be highly susceptible to infection by this subtype, and conversely to be highly refractory to infection by other VEEV subtypes. During the 1990s in southern coastal Mexico, two VEE epizootics in horses were attributed to subtype IE VEEV. These outbreaks were associated with VEEV strains with an altered infection phenotype for the epizootic mosquito vector, Aedes (Ochlerotatus) taeniorhynchus. To determine the infectivity for the enzootic vector, Culex taeniopus, mosquitoes from a recently established colony were orally exposed to VEEV strains from the outbreak. The equine-virulent strains exhibited high infectivity and transmission potential comparable to a traditional enzootic subtype IE VEEV strain. Thus, subtype IE VEEV strains in Chiapas are able to efficiently infect enzootic and epizootic vectors and cause morbidity and mortality in horses.
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Publication Date: 2010-06-04 PubMed ID: 20519599PubMed Central: PMC2877410DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0556Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates the ability of the Culex taeniopus mosquito species to spread the equine-virulent Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). The research indicates that the subtype IE strains of this virus are not only infectious, but also possess high transmission potential, contributing to disease outbreaks in horses.

About Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus and Its Transmission

  • Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) causes a mosquito-borne disease that largely affects horses. The virus has several subtypes, with different transmission and susceptibility profiles among mosquito species. It is suspected that this variability has an impact on the disease’s distribution and prevalence.
  • The study focuses on the equine-virulent subtype IE strains of VEEV, which have been linked to equine disease outbreaks in Central America. The Culex (Melanoconion) taeniopus mosquito species has been found to be highly susceptible to infection by this subtype, making it a significant vector of the disease.

Investigating the Vector Competence of Culex Taeniopus

  • During the 1990s, two VEE outbreaks in horses in coastal Mexico were attributed to the subtype IE VEEV. These outbreaks were linked to strains of the virus that showed an altered infection phenotype — a change in the physical and functional traits of the mosquito vector, which subsequently affected the transmission of the virus.
  • The study aimed to further understand this phenomenon, specifically the infectivity of the changed strains on the enzootic vector, Culex taeniopus. The mosquito sample was collected from a newly established colony and exposed to the different VEEV strains from the outbreaks.

Findings

  • The study found that the altered subtype IE VEEV strains had high infectivity and transmission potential, similar to a traditional enzootic subtype IE VEEV strain.
  • These findings are significant as they indicate that the subtype IE of VEEV in the Chiapas region of Mexico could efficiently infect enzootic and epizootic vectors. This has important implications for disease control strategies, emphasising the need to assess vector competence for different VEEV strains for effective prevention efforts.

Cite This Article

APA
Deardorff ER, Weaver SC. (2010). Vector competence of Culex (Melanoconion) taeniopus for equine-virulent subtype IE strains of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 82(6), 1047-1052. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0556

Publication

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
ISSN: 1476-1645
NlmUniqueID: 0370507
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 82
Issue: 6
Pages: 1047-1052

Researcher Affiliations

Deardorff, Eleanor R
  • Center for Tropical Diseases and Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. EDeardorff@salud.unm.edu
Weaver, Scott C

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Chlorocebus aethiops
    • Culex / physiology
    • Culex / virology
    • Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / classification
    • Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / physiology
    • Female
    • Insect Vectors / physiology
    • Insect Vectors / virology
    • Mice
    • Vero Cells

    Grant Funding

    • R01 AI071192 / NIAID NIH HHS
    • T32-AI060549 / NIAID NIH HHS
    • AI071192 / NIAID NIH HHS
    • T32 AI060549 / NIAID NIH HHS
    • N01 AI025489 / NIAID NIH HHS

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