Journal of General Virology (1990) 71, 2307-2312

M.J. Turell, J.F. Saluzzo, R.F. Tammariello and J.F. Smith (1990)
Generation and transmission of Rift Valley fever viral reassortants by the mosquito Culex pipiens
Journal of General Virology 71 (10), 2307-2312
Abstract: Reassortant viruses containing heterologous S and M genomic RNA segments were obtained from both mosquito and vertebrate hosts that had been coinfected with Egyptian and Senegalese strains of Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus. The origin of the S and M RNA segments in each plaque-cloned virus was determined with monoclonal antibodies capable of differentiating the nucleocapsid protein (S segment marker) or the G1 glycoprotein (M segment marker) of the parental strains. In the mosquito Culex pipiens, reassortants were detected after sequential ingestion of parental viruses by interrupted feeding on two infected hamster hosts, after feeding on a single host that had been infected with both parental strains, and from individual mosquitoes inoculated intrathoracically with both parental strains. Reassortant viruses replicated efficiently in mosquitoes and were readily transmissible by bite to hamsters. Replication of a second infecting strain of RVF virus was, however, completely inhibited if that virus was inoculated into a mosquito greater than or equal to 48 h after the first viral strain. Genetic reassortment may provide a mechanism for increased heterogeneity, and thus affect the epidemiology and evolution of RVF virus.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Michael J. Turell

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Culex pipiens