Vector competence of three Australian mosquitoes, Verrallina carmenti, Verraullina lineata, and Mansonia septempunctata (Diptera: Culicidae), for Ross River virus.
The vector competence of Verrallina carmenti (Edwards), Verrallina lineata (Taylor), and Mansonia septempunctata (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae) from north Queensland, Australia, was tested using two isolates of Ross River virus (family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus, RRV). All three species were tested using RRV isolate RR102MP (ex-Cairns, Queensland, Australia), whereas Ve. carmenti and Ve. lineata also were tested using RR2186 (ex-Bourke, New South Wales, Australia). Transmission was tested using the capillary tube method, with infection of mosquito bodies and saliva determined using cell culture. Infection with RR102MP resulted in 27.5% of Ve. carmenti, 19.2% of Ve. lineata and 13.3% of Ma. septempunctata transmitting virus. When Ve. carmenti and Ve. lineata were infected with RR2186, transmission rates for both species were generally < 10%, although a transmission rate of 25% was recorded for Ve. lineata exposed to high titer virus. These results indicated that the three mosquito species have the potential to contribute to local transmission cycles.
Webb
Cameron E
CE
Department of Medical Entomology, ICPMR and University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. cameron.webb@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Doggett
Stephen L
SL
Ritchie
Scott A
SA
Russell
Richard C
RC
D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000635:transmission; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D009033:Culicidae / Q000821:virology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology*; D012398:Ross River virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*