Culex interfor and Culex saltanensis (Diptera: Culicidae) are susceptible and competent to transmit St. Louis encephalitis virus (Flavivirus: Flaviviridae) in central Argentina

MAURICIO BERANEK; AGUSTIN I. QUAGLIA; GIOVANNA C. PERALTA; FERNANDO FLORES; MARINA STEIN; DIAZ, LUIS ADRIÁN; ALMIRÓN WALTER R.; CONTIGIANI, MARTA

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg

Oxford University Press

Año: 2020 p. 1 - 5

1878-3503

Background: St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) is endemic and autochthonous on the American continent. Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus is a vector of SLEV; however, Culex interfor and Culex saltanensis have also been found to be naturally infected with SLEV. The aim of this study was to determine the vector competence of C. interfor and C. saltanensis for SLEV from Argentina compared with C. p. quinquefasciatus. Culex genus is Cx.?Methods: Female of the Culex specieswere orally infected by feeding on viraemic chicks that had been inoculated with SLEV. Abdomens, legs and saliva blood-fed mosquitoes were analysed by viral plaque assay.Results: Mosquitoes were susceptible to orally acquired infection, dissemination and transmission of SLEV in the saliva.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that C. saltanensis and C. interfor are susceptible to SLEV and competentfor its transmission.