Replication and expression of a recombinant Sindbis virus in mosquitoes

A recombinant Sindbis virus, TE/3'2J/ANTI-S, containing LaCrosse virus small segment cDNA in antisense orientation, was inoculated into Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes. Virus replication and LAC-ANTI-S RNA expression were analysed temporally and spatially. TE/3'2J/ANTI-S virus titre peaked at 5.0 log10 TCID50 in heads 6-9 days post infection (p.i.) and decreased to 3.4 log10 TCID50 by 37 days p.i. Salivary glands contained 4.4 log10 TCID50 of virus 6 days p.i.; titres were lower in other organs. LAC-ANTI-S RNA levels paralleled virus titre. SIN E1 antigen was detected in many mosquito organ systems, but in specific cells and tissues of some organs. TE/3'2J/ANTI-S virus exhibited different cellular tropisms in salivary glands of Aedes and Culex mosquitoes.