Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Detection of Infectious Virus from Field-collected Mosquitoes by Vero Cell Culture Assay
Published on: June 9, 2011
Persistent West Nile virus infection in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Nicole Nemeth1, Ginger Young, Christina Ndaluka
1National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA. Nicole.M.Nemeth@aphis.usda.gov
Abstract:
Long-term persistence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection within vertebrate reservoir hosts is a potential mechanism for overwintering of this (and other) arbovirus(es) at temperate latitudes. The house sparrow (Passer domesticus), an established amplifying host for WNV and other arboviruses, was used as a model to confirm chronicity of WNV infection in passerine birds and to evaluate the feasibility of two overwintering mechanisms: blood-borne infection of arthropod vectors (recrudescence) and oral infection of vertebrate reservoir hosts (ingestion of infected tissues through predation). WNV-inoculated sparrows were monitored for persistent infection for up to 2 years. Infectious virus persisted in tissues through 43 days, but not in sera beyond 6 days. Viral RNA persisted in tissues through 65 days. Chronicity of WNV infection in some tissues, but not blood, supports the predation mechanism of WNV overwintering, but not recrudescence. RNA persistence impacts interpretation and etiologic determination of avian mortality.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Arboviral Encephalitis
Conservation of Declining Populations
Rabies
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Yellow Fever
American Trypanosomiasis

