Oral Infection of <I>Culicoides sonorensis</I> (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) by Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

Abstract

Vesicular stomatitis virus serotype New Jersey (VSNJV) was mixed with bovine blood or fetal bovine serum (FBS) and fed across silicone membranes to laboratory populations of Culicoides sonorensis Wirth & Jones. In an initial study, virus was detected after 13 d in 21% of the midges that received an FBS/VSNJV mixture. In subsequent time-course experiments, engorged females were collected and maintained at 20.0 degrees C and assayed for VSNJV immediately after feeding and at 1, 3, 7, 10 and 13 d after feeding. Virus was detected after 13 d in 3% of the midges that received a bovine blood/VSNJV mixture and in 9% of the midges that received an FBS/VSNJV mixture. The results indicate that C. sonorensis should be considered as a potential biological vector of VSNJV.

Mechanical Transmission of Vesicular Stomatitis New Jersey Virus by <I>Simulium vittatum</I> (Diptera: Simuliidae) to Domestic Swine (<I>Sus scrofa</I>)

“…In addition, colonized biting midges, Culicoides sonorensis Wirth & Jones, are susceptible to VSNJV infection (Nunamaker et al 2000, Drolet et al 2005, and experimentally infected midges have been shown to transmit the virus to guinea pigs ) and cattle .…”

Effect of Mosquito Salivary Gland Treatment on Vesicular Stomatitis New Jersey Virus Replication and Interferon α/β Expression In Vitro

“…Recently, these epizootics have been more frequent for unknown reasons. While the natural transmission cycle of VS viruses is currently unclear, laboratory studies (Cupp et al 1992, Mead et al 2000, Nunamaker et al 2000 have demonstrated arthropod transmission of VS viruses, and epidemiological studies have strongly associated exposure to arthropods with clinical cases (Francy et al 1988;Corn et al 1990). …”

Infection ofMelanoplus sanguinipesGrasshoppers following Ingestion of Rangeland Plant Species Harboring Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

“…It is possible that in nature, VSV exploits both hematophagous and herbivorous vector transmission mechanisms. VSV has been shown to replicate in a variety of hematophagous insects (2,3,9,11,17), as well as in two nonhematophagous insects: leafhoppers (7) and grasshoppers (10). Although most of these insects do not travel distances great enough to explain the typical pattern of VSV spread to new and distant areas during outbreaks, the migratory grasshopper M. sanguinipes is an exception.…”