Transmission of a newly recognized virus (Bunyaviridae, Bunyavirus) isolated from Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Potosi, Missouri

Abstract

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) mosquitoes collected in Potosi, Mo., were tested for their ability to transmit a newly recognized Bunyamwera sero group virus isolated from the same mosquito population. Mosquitoes were fed artificial blood meals containing 4.5-6.2 log10 TCID50 of virus per ml. After 7-29 d at 25 degrees C, 79-99% of the mosquitoes had disseminated infections and 0-26% transmitted virus to fluid-filled capillary tubes. Transmission was first observed after 7 d of extrinsic incubation. Tests failed to detect transovarial transmission in 5,145 progeny from ovarian cycles 2-4. Following parenteral inoculation with 5.3-6.0 log10 TCID50 of virus, four of nine adult hamsters developed viremia. Ten of 16 suckling mice died following intracerebral inoculation of 5.0 log10 TCID50 of virus (fifth Vero cell passage); the average survival time was 8.8 d (SD, 3.5). No mortality occurred in 10 suckling mice inoculated with 3.6 log10 TCID50 of virus (second Vero cell passage).