title: Culex Species Mosquitoes and Zika Virus.
abstract: Recent reports of Zika virus (ZIKV) isolates from Culex species mosquitoes have resulted in concern regarding a lack of knowledge on the number of competent vector species for ZIKV transmission in the new world. Although observations in the field have demonstrated that ZIKV isolation can be made from Culex species mosquitoes, the detection of ZIKV in these mosquitoes is not proof of their involvement in a ZIKV transmission cycle. Detection may be due to recent feeding on a viremic vertebrate, and is not indicative of replication in the mosquito. In this study, susceptibility of recently colonized Culex species mosquitoes was investigated. The results showed a high degree of refractoriness among members of Culex pipiens complex to ZIKV even when exposed to high-titer bloodmeals. Our finding suggests that the likelihood of Culex species mosquitoes serving as secondary vectors for ZIKV is very low, therefore vector control strategies for ZIKV should remain focused on Aedes species mosquitoes. Our demonstration that Culex quinquefasciatus from Vero Beach, FL, is refractory to infection with ZIKV is especially important and timely. Based on our data, we would conclude that the autochthonous cases of Zika in Florida are not due to transmission by C. quinquefasciatus, and so control efforts should focus on other species, logically Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas.|2 Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas.
authors.forename: Yan-Jang S
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas.|2 Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas.
authors.forename: Victoria B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Ayers
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas.|2 Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.affiliation: 3 Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers University , New Brunswick, New Jersey.|4 Mercer County Mosquito Control , Trenton, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Isik
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Unlu
authors.affiliation: 5 Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida , Vero Beach, Florida.
authors.forename: Barry W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Alto
authors.affiliation: 6 Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Agriculture Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture , Manhattan, Kansas.
authors.forename: Lee W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Cohnstaedt
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas.|2 Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Higgs
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas.|2 Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University , Manhattan, Kansas.
authors.forename: Dana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Vanlandingham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood / Q000821:virology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003465:Culex / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D000072138:Mosquito Vectors / Q000821:virology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology; D014709:Vero Cells; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000502:physiology*; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology*
keywords: Culex species mosquitoes; Zika virus; refractoriness