[Isolation of viruses of antigenic complexes of California encephalitis and Bunyamwera (Bunyaviridae, Bunuavirus) from mosquitoes in northeast Asia]

Abstract

Studies in suckling mice and by direct solid-phase enzyme immunoassay were carried out with 111,1 thousand Aedes mosquitoes collected in July, 1986, in tundra, forest-tundra, and northern taiga of Kamchatka region and Chukotka autonomous district of Magadan region (North-Pacific natural area within 69 degrees-53 degrees North and 156 degrees-177 degrees East). Eleven strains were isolated of which 7 were classified as members of the California encephalitis complex (Tahyna-like strains) and 4 as members of the Bunyamwera complex (Batai-like strains). According to electron-microscopic studies of 2 strains (one from each antigenic complex), both were classified as belonging to the family of Bunyaviridae. Strains of both complexes were isolated in all landscape zones examined--tundra, forest-tundra, northern taiga. Virus-neutralizing antibodies to them were found in human and reindeer sera also in all the landscape zones, to Tahyna virus in 11%-61%, to Batain virus in 2%-6% blood specimens. No antibody to Uukuniemi virus was found.