Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Detection of Infectious Virus from Field-collected Mosquitoes by Vero Cell Culture Assay
07:23

Detection of Infectious Virus from Field-collected Mosquitoes by Vero Cell Culture Assay

Published on: June 9, 2011

Isolation of St. Louis encephalitis virus from overwintering Culex pipiens mosquitoes

C L Bailey, B F Eldridge, D E Hayes

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |March 24, 1978
    PubMed

    Insights

    St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) was found in overwintering mosquitoes in temperate climates. This demonstrates that mosquito-borne flaviviruses can persist through winter in their vector mosquitoes.

    Area of Science:

    • Arthropod-borne viruses
    • Medical entomology
    • Virology

    Background:

    • St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus.
    • Understanding flavivirus overwintering strategies is crucial for disease prevention in temperate regions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the overwintering potential of St. Louis encephalitis virus in its natural vector.
    • To determine if flaviviruses can persist in mosquitoes during winter in temperate climates.

    Main Methods:

    • Isolation of virus strains from mosquitoes collected during winter months.
    • Identification of mosquito species and viral agents involved.

    Main Results:

    • Two strains of St. Louis encephalitis virus were successfully isolated.
    • Virus isolations were made from Culex pipiens mosquitoes collected in January and February 1977.
    • This provides evidence of flavivirus persistence in vector mosquitoes during winter.

    Conclusions:

    • Mosquito-borne flaviviruses, such as SLEV, can overwinter within vector mosquitoes in temperate climates.
    • This finding has significant implications for arbovirus transmission dynamics and public health surveillance.

    More Related Videos

    Forced Salivation As a Method to Analyze Vector Competence of Mosquitoes05:03

    Forced Salivation As a Method to Analyze Vector Competence of Mosquitoes

    Published on: August 7, 2018

    Mosquito-Associated Virus Isolation from Field-Collected Mosquitoes06:41

    Mosquito-Associated Virus Isolation from Field-Collected Mosquitoes

    Published on: August 31, 2022

    Related Concept Videos

    Viral Recombination00:57

    Viral Recombination

    Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
    Transmission of Pathogens01:24

    Transmission of Pathogens

    Pathogens spread from their reservoirs to susceptible hosts through three main routes: contact transmission, vehicle transmission, and vector transmission. Each route involves distinct mechanisms of transfer.Contact TransmissionThis category includes direct contact, indirect contact, and droplet transmission:Direct contact involves immediate physical interaction between individuals—such as a handshake—which can spread pathogens like Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacterium responsible for...
    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
    Rabies01:28

    Rabies

    Rabies is a lethal zoonotic disease caused by a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Its primary mode of transmission to humans is through bites or saliva-contaminated scratches from infected mammals such as dogs, bats, raccoons, or foxes. Transmission can also occur if infectious saliva contacts abraded skin or intact mucous membranes, including the conjunctiva.Viral Entry and Early ReplicationOnce introduced at the bite or scratch...
    Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

    Arboviral Encephalitis

    Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
    Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

    Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

    Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...