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Assays for the Identification of Novel Antivirals against Bluetongue Virus

Published on: October 11, 2013

The vector potential of British Culicoides species for bluetongue virus

D M Jennings1, P S Mellor

  • 1Institute for Animal Disease Research, Pirbright Laboratory, Woking, Surrey, Gt. Britain.

Veterinary Microbiology
|May 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Two British Culicoides species, C. nubeculosus and C. impunctatus, support bluetongue virus (BTV) replication. C. nubeculosus can transmit BTV after feeding on infected sheep, indicating its potential as a vector.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Entomology
  • Arthropod-borne Viruses
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Bluetongong virus (BTV) is a significant animal pathogen transmitted by biting midges.
  • Understanding the vector competence of Culicoides species is crucial for BTV control.
  • Several Culicoides species are present in the UK, but their role in BTV transmission requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the susceptibility and vector competence of British Culicoides species to bluetongue virus.
  • To determine if C. nubeculosus and C. impunctatus can support BTV replication and transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of Culicoides species (C. nubeculosus, C. impunctatus, and six others) via membrane feeding with BTV.
  • Experimental infection of C. nubeculosus by feeding on viraemic sheep.
  • Assessment of BTV replication within the midges.
  • Evaluation of BTV transmission capability by C. nubeculosus after a 8-day incubation period at 25°C.
  • Intrathoracic inoculation of BTV into six additional British Culicoides species.

Main Results:

  • Both C. nubeculosus and C. impunctatus supported BTV multiplication after oral ingestion.
  • C. nubeculosus became infected after feeding on viraemic sheep.
  • C. nubeculosus demonstrated the ability to transmit BTV across a membrane after 8 days incubation.
  • Six other British Culicoides species supported BTV multiplication following intrathoracic inoculation.

Conclusions:

  • C. nubeculosus and C. impunctatus are capable of supporting bluetongue virus replication.
  • C. nubeculosus has the potential to act as a vector for BTV in the UK.
  • Further research is needed to evaluate the vectorial capacity of other British Culicoides species.

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