Evaluation of the Role of Irradiated, Culex pipiens , Mosquito (Diptera; Culicidae) in the Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus ( HCV)

Abstract

In the present study, gamma radiation effects on the reproductive potential of the mosquito, Culex pipiens and its role in the transmission of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) were investigated. The susceptibility of female, Culex pipiens mosquitoes to gamma irradiation was carried out by exposed full grown pupae to doses 0, 20, 40, 60 Gy. The lethal doses were calculated, as the doses of gamma radiation increased, a progressive increase in the nonhatched eggs percentage. The viral load at mouth parts, in mid-gut and salivary gland, was detected in the irradiated females with LD 75 (60 Gy) and non-irradiated using RT-PCR relatively at time 60 min., 5 and 13 days and tested in the mentioned position. Viral load in irradiated Culex pipiens that fed on an infected blood with a viral load 1.2 x 10 6 IU/ml %was decreased by time from 6.0782 x 10 4 IU/ML% at zero time into 2.399 x 10 3 IU/ML% after 60 min. postinfection at the mouth parts. Also, the viral load decreased by time in the mid-gut from 2.63575 x 10 5 IU/ML% at zero time into 3.969 x 10 3 IU/ML% after 5 days post-infection, while HCV was not detected in the salivary glands. The current results indicated that the mechanical transmission through mouth parts in irradiated and nonirradiated Culex pipiens mosquitoes is plausible while the biological transmission did not occur.

Piercing and sucking mouth parts sensilla of irradiated mosquito, Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) with gamma radiation

“…Also, the selected radiation doses are sterile doses for Cx. pipiens according to the obtained results from Hassan et al 46 thus the irradiated females will not lay eggs and will not cause an increase in the mosquito population if released.…”

Unveiling Antimicrobial and Insecticidal Activities of Biosynthesized Selenium Nanoparticles Using Prickly Pear Peel Waste

“…The hatchability percentage was estimated according to the Hassan et al [ 53 ] equation, Hatchability% = A/B × 100 where A = Total No. of hatched eggs; B = Total No.…”