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Research Project: Biting Arthropod Surveillance and Control Location:
                                Mosquito and Fly Research Title:   Author  item
                                            TURELL, MICHAEL - Department Of Defenseitem
                                            Gibson, Sethitem
                                            Aldridge, Robertitem
                                            XUE, RUI-DE - Anastasia Mosquito Control Districtitem
                                            SMITH, MIKE - Anastasia Mosquito Control Districtitem
                                            Cohnstaedt, Leeitem
                                            Linthicum, Kenneth

                                                         - *Ken*
  Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 6/17/2015
                                    Publication  Date: 11/1/2015
                                    Citation: Turell, M.J., Britch, S.C., Aldridge, R.L., Xue, R., Smith, M.L., Cohnstaedt, L.W., Linthicum, K. 2015. Potential for Psorophora columbiae and Psorophora ciliata mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) to transmit Rift Valley fever virus. Journal of Medical Entomology. 52(6):1111-1116.Interpretive Summary: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in Africa and Middle East.  Numerous mosquito species transmit RVFV in nature, and many species have been demonstrated as competent vectors in the laboratory.  In this study, we evaluated two species of mosquitoes that were collected in North America for their ability to transmit RVFV.  We found that one of these mosquito species, Ps. columbiae, might play a role in amplifying RVFV should that virus be introduced into an area where this species is common.
                                Technical Abstract: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) continues to pose a threat to much of the world.  Unlike many arboviruses, numerous mosquito species have been associated with RVFV in nature, and many species have been demonstrated as competent vectors in the laboratory.  In this study, we evaluated two field-collected Psorophora species, Psorophora columbiae (Dyar and Knab) and Psorophora ciliata (Fabricius) for their potential to transmit RVFV in North America.  Both species were susceptible to infection after feeding on a hamster with a viremia of 107 plaque-forming units/ml, with infection rates of 65 and 83% for Ps. columbiae and Ps. ciliata, respectively (with nearly all specimens becoming infected when feeding on a hamster with a higher viremia).  However, both species had a significant salivary gland barrier as only 2/35 Ps. columbiae and 0/3 Ps. ciliata with a disseminated infection transmitted virus by bite.  Despite the presence of the salivary gland barrier, due to the very high population that can occur and its propensity to feed on large mammals, Ps. columbiae might play a role in amplifying RVFV should that virus be introduced into an area where this species is common.


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