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Vector competence of three Venezuelan mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) for an epizootic IC strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.
Abstract: Experimental studies were undertaken to evaluate the vector competence of selected mosquito species [Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann), Culex declarator Dyar and Knab, and Mansonia titillans (Walker)] from northwestern Venezuela for the epizootic (IC) strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus that was responsible for the 1995 outbreak of VEE in this area. Ae. taeniorhynchus was highly susceptible to infection (94% of 35), and 89% had a disseminated infection. Virus-exposed Ae. taeniorhynchus that refed on susceptible hamsters readily transmitted virus, confirming that this species was an efficient vector of VEE virus. In contrast, only 1 of 28 (4%) Cx. declarator was infected, and that individual did not develop a disseminated infection. Ma. titillans was moderately susceptible (3 of 8 infected, 38%), and 2 (25%) of these had a disseminated infection. These data indicate that Ae. taeniorhynchus was an important epizootic vector during the 1995 VEE outbreak in Columbia and Venezuela.
Publication Date: 1999-09-01 PubMed ID: 10467764DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/36.4.407Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study explores the capability of three mosquito types from Venezuela to carry and spread Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus, with findings indicating that the mosquito species Aedes taeniorhynchus is particularly effective in transmitting the disease.
Understanding the Research Objective
- This research aimed to investigate the “vector competence” of three mosquito species from northwestern Venezuela for the Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus strain that caused an outbreak in 1995.
- Vector competence refers to the ability of a species to both acquire an infection and then transmit the pathogen to a new host.
- The three mosquito species examined were Aedes taeniorhynchus, Culex declarator, and Mansonia titillans.
Methodology and Critical Findings
- Research experiments involved infesting these mosquito types with the VEE virus and observing rates of infection and subsequent dissemination to see their potential as virus spreaders.
- Among the three species, Aedes taeniorhynchus showed the highest susceptibility to infection, with a 94% rate of infection and 89% developing a disseminated infection, ie the spreading of the virus within the mosquito.
- Culex declarator showed minimal vector competence with only one individual from 28 infected (about 4%), and this one did not develop a disseminated infection.
- Mansonia titillans, on the other hand, was moderately susceptible, with 3 of 8 infected (38%) and 25% of these developing a disseminated infection.
Role of Aedes taeniorhynchus in the 1995 Outbreak
- The study further confirmed the high competence of Aedes taeniorhynchus through an additional experiment where virus-exposed mosquitoes were allowed to feed on susceptible hamsters, with successful transmission of the virus observed.
- The conclusion from these results is that Aedes taeniorhynchus would have been an important vector during the 1995 VEE outbreak in Columbia and Venezuela, given its high rate of infection and the ability to efficiently transmit the VEE virus.
Implications of the Research
- This research provides valuable information about vector competence relevant to the control of VEE and understanding of its transmission dynamics.
- Knowing which vector species are particularly competent can help inform strategies to manage and prevent future outbreaks of the disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Turell MJ.
(1999).
Vector competence of three Venezuelan mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) for an epizootic IC strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.
J Med Entomol, 36(4), 407-409.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/36.4.407 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Virology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Aedes / virology
- Animals
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- Cricetinae
- Culex / virology
- Culicidae / virology
- Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine
- Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / transmission
- Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Humans
- Insect Vectors / virology
- Venezuela
- Vero Cells
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Furtado NVR, Saraiva JF, Ribeiro KN, Fernandes Neto NS, Barroso JFDS, Rodovalho CM, Carvalho DP, Galardo AKR, Lima JBP. Efficiency of four trap types and human landing catch in the sampling of Mansonia (Diptera, Culicidae) in Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil. PLoS One 2025;20(1):e0315869.
- Jobe NB, Franz NM, Johnston MA, Malone AB, Ruberto I, Townsend J, Will JB, Yule KM, Paaijmans KP. The Mosquito Fauna of Arizona: Species Composition and Public Health Implications. Insects 2024 Jun 6;15(6).
- Kirchgatter K, Guimarães LO, Monteiro EF, Helfstein VC, Telles-de-Deus J, Menezes RMT, Reginato SL, Chagas CRF, de Camargo-Neves VLF. DNA Barcoding of Morphologically Characterized Mosquitoes Belonging to the Genus Mansonia from the Atlantic Forest and Brazilian Savanna. Insects 2023 Jan 20;14(2).
- Koh C, Frangeul L, Blanc H, Ngoagouni C, Boyer S, Dussart P, Grau N, Girod R, Duchemin JB, Saleh MC. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences from 33 globally distributed mosquito species for improved metagenomics and species identification. Elife 2023 Jan 23;12.
- Sloyer KE, Santos M, Rivera E, Reeves LE, Carrera JP, Vittor AY, Valderrama A, Burkett-Cadena ND. Evaluating sampling strategies for enzootic Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus vectors in Florida and Panama. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022 Apr;16(4):e0010329.
- Pedro PM, Rodrigues de Sá IL, Rojas MVR, Amorim JA, Ribeiro Galardo AK, Santos Neto NF, Furtado NVR, Pires de Carvalho D, Nabas Ribeiro KA, de Paiva M, Pepe Razzolini MT, Sallum MAM. Efficient Monitoring of Adult and Immature Mosquitoes Through Metabarcoding of Bulk Samples: A Case Study for Non-Model Culicids With Unique Ecologies. J Med Entomol 2021 May 15;58(3):1210-1218.
- Loaiza JR, Dutari LC, Rovira JR, Sanjur OI, Laporta GZ, Pecor J, Foley DH, Eastwood G, Kramer LD, Radtke M, Pongsiri M. Disturbance and mosquito diversity in the lowland tropical rainforest of central Panama. Sci Rep 2017 Aug 3;7(1):7248.
- Morrison AC, Forshey BM, Notyce D, Astete H, Lopez V, Rocha C, Carrion R, Carey C, Eza D, Montgomery JM, Kochel TJ. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in Iquitos, Peru: urban transmission of a sylvatic strain. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2008;2(12):e349.
- Brault AC, Powers AM, Ortiz D, Estrada-Franco JG, Navarro-Lopez R, Weaver SC. Venezuelan equine encephalitis emergence: enhanced vector infection from a single amino acid substitution in the envelope glycoprotein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004 Aug 3;101(31):11344-9.
- Brault AC, Powers AM, Weaver SC. Vector infection determinants of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus reside within the E2 envelope glycoprotein. J Virol 2002 Jun;76(12):6387-92.
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