Longevity Studies of Sindbis Virus Infected Aedes Albopictus Jonida Kosova University of North Florida
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University of North Florida UNF Digital Commons All Volumes (2001-2008) The sprO ey Journal of Ideas and Inquiry 2003 Longevity Studies of Sindbis Virus Infected Aedes Albopictus Jonida Kosova University of North Florida Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/ojii_volumes Part of the Life Sciences Commons Suggested Citation Kosova, Jonida, "Longevity Studies of Sindbis Virus Infected Aedes Albopictus" (2003). All Volumes (2001-2008). 94. http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/ojii_volumes/94 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the The sprO ey Journal of Ideas and Inquiry at UNF Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Volumes (2001-2008) by an authorized administrator of UNF Digital Commons. For more information, please contact Digital Projects. © 2003 All Rights Reserved Longevity Studies of Sindbis Virus Ae. albopictus is diffusely located in the Infected Aedes Albopictus Mediterranean Basin and according to Romi (2002), and this mosquito was introduced to lonida Kosova Italy in 1990 by the import of used tires from United States. Ae. albopictus is Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Doria F. Bowers, recognized for its aggressive human-biting Assistant Professor of Biology habit, and its ability to colonize both tree holes in the forest habitat and human-made Abstract containers in the peri domestic environment. Arthropod-Borne-Viruses referred to as The persistent captive life cycle of a "arboviruses" are perpetuated in the wild virus infected mosquito was examined. through interactions between invertebrate The model system used was Aedes hosts (mosquito) and vertebrate hosts (birds, albopictus and the Alphavirus, Sindbis rodents) and are transmitted to vertebrates virus. The adult life span of virus infected by the bite of the infected arthropods, Ae. albopictus was compared to the life usually mosquitoes and ticks (Brown, D.T., span of virus free Ae. albopictus. et aI., 1986). This efficient virus Intrathoracic inoculation was the method transmission indicates that it has the used to infect the experimental group of potential to serve as both maintenance and the adult female Ae. albopictus with an epidemic vector of many arthropod Sindbis virus. This experimental data borne viruses in the Western Hemisphere demonstrates that this virus does not (William, A. H., 1987). hamper the mosquito life span. The The term "insect vector" was classically results from this experiment can be used used to describe the passive role of the in future experiments, such as examining insect in the transmission of arboviruses to the immune system of the mosquito and vertebrates. However, it is clear today that its responses or protection strategies active replication of arboviruses in the against the Sindbis virus. This virus invertebrate host is essential in the serves as a model for more virulent persistence of the virus in nature. The most Alphaviruses, such as Eastern Equine common method of arbovirus transmission Encephalitis that can cause serious and in the wild is a horizontal cycle alternating fatal diseases. Additionally, Ae. between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. albopictus in this experiment can serve as Other methods of transmission are vertical a model for other species of mosquitoes transmission, which occurs transovarially infected with the virus. from one infected generation to the next, and transtadial transmission where virus is Introduction exchanged between a male and a female during copulation (Kow, C.Y., 2001). Ae. albopictus is an important disease Sindbis virus (SIN) is the prototype vector native to Asia, which has recently member of the alphavirus genera, belonging become established in the Western to the family Togaviradae (Griffin, D.E., et Hemisphere. This artificial container aI., 1986). Serological surveys suggest that breeding mosquito was first identified in infection is relatively common in certain Harris County, Texas, in 1985 (Sprenger D., regions but has different effects on 1986). Used tires are the primary breeding vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. site of North American Ae. albopictus and Alphaviruses such as Easten Equine are the most likely means of introduction to Encephalitis (EEE) and Western Equine the United States (William A. H., 1987). Encephalitis (WEE) can cause serious clinical diseases with high fever, Osprey Journal of Ideas and Inquiry 21 encephalitis, hemorrhagia, and death in man (Gerberg, E. 1., 1970). A second method is and domesfic animals (Brown, D.T., et aI., through an artificial membrane system. The 1986). However, SIN is among the least artificial membrane system provides a virulent of the Alphaviruses, fundamental to supply of virus-blood suspension. It consists its use as a prototype in research. Although of a skin-like membrane on which the insect protracted disease occurs occasionally, feeds upon (Gerberg, E. 1., 1970). A third neither fatal infections nor encephalitis have method is the hanging drop method, by been recognized (Schlesinger, S., 1986). which a blood suspension infected with the The mosquito vector demonstrates no virus is delivered fia a hanging drop of pathology in response to Alphavirus suspension oil the top of the cage for the infection, and the infection persists insects to feed on (Gerberg, EJ., 1970). throughout the life of the arthropod. While An alternative way to achieve infection the mosquito host is believed to not suffer is through intrathoracic inoculation (Turell, deleterious effects of the alphavirus MJ., 1984). This route assures 100% infection, tissue-specific pathology has been infection unlike the previously mentioned observed in Ae. albopictus following methods, and although it is not the natural intrathoracic inoculation with the SIN route of inoculation, infection is ensured. (Bowers, D. F., et aI., 2003, in press). Mosquitoes are anesthetized on ice. The According to Bowers and colleagues thorax of the insect is then injected with a (1995), Ae. albopictus possesses a wide tiny glass needle made specifically for range of permissive host cells that replicate inoculation of virus. SIN. Ae. albopictus mosquitoes infected by Recognition of arthropod-borne viruses Sindbis virus were examined during the over the last years has regained prominence acute phase of infection by Bowers et aI., and attention in the press (Gratz, N.G., 1995, and these studies were ended at day 1999). There has been an outbreak of 18 of post-infection. This infection will now vector-borne diseases such as Malaria, be observed beyond day 18 of post Dengue, and Plague, which have been infection. In order to study the persistent inactive for a long time in areas where these phase of infection in Ae. albopictus. The diseases were thought to be under control. longevity of the virus free mosquitoes was According to Gratz 1999, ecological previously determined by Zammito, 2001 (J. changes and development projects such as Zammito, personal communication). urbanization and deforestation have resulted According to Zammito, female mosquitoes in the appearance of new diseases and lived for 65 days with 80% survival under reoccurrence of old ones. Infectious agents the insectary conditions at University of are also spread due to increased traveling by North Florida. This study was stopped at 80 people who have introduced the virus to days with approximately 65% survivals. areas where it has been absent. It is Adult female Ae. albopictus are important to know how the disease is hematophagous insects requiring the protein transmitted in order to prevent appearance found in vertebrate blood to produce eggs. of new diseases and reoccurrences of old The blood meal provides protein for egg ones, and also to serve as a model for development and only females partake effective control. blood (James, A.A., 1991). There are According to Romi, Ae. albopictus is different methods available to infect Ae. considered an underestimated health albopictus mosquitoes with virus. One of problem in Italy, to which more attention the methods is by using live animals during should be given (Romi, R., 2001). the viremic phase of infection. Animals Arboviruses can cause serious problems for used are anesthetized or restrained and are eco-tourism. Another example of the most preferred hosts by Ae. albopictus arboviruses, besides Sindbis virus, is the 22 Osprey Journal of Ideas and Inquiry West Nile virus. This virus caused Disney Pupae transfer to cages World in Florida to be shut down for a day in April 2001. According to Dr. Dame Pupae were placed in paper cups with (2001), when Disney World shut down tap water. The cups were then transferred during mosquito control efforts, this sent a into cages. After emergence, adults were strong message to the public that the supplied with constant access to a mosquito control efforts should be taken carbohydrate source (honey) and water. seriously (New York Academy Science, 2001.) Experimental Design Materials and Methods Groups of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were monitored in the insectary during the Insectary Conditions SVHR inoculation experiment. Mosquito survivals were counted daily and the dead The insectary is a controlled growth mosquitoes were removed from the cages. room with bio-safety level-2 certification. The cages were checked and watered three All mosquito groups were hatched and times per week and kept continuously reared under the same insectary conditions. supplied with honey. Thermostatic control temperature, humidifiers and light controls were used to Intrathoracic Inoculations and Infection maintain temperature (23 - 26° C), relative humidity (70 - 80%) and photoperiod (16 Insects were anaesthetized in the cold hours light and 8 hours dark). for 5 to 10 minutes. Mosquitoes were placed on a chill plate under a stereoscopic Hatching microscope and inoculated directly into the thorax. This method used compressed air to A small jar was filled with I % nutrient force the inoculum through a tiny "needle" broth of bacto beef extract in tap water and an prepared by drawing out glass borosilicate egg sheet was submerged into this broth tubing of known internal diameter to a fine (Difto Laboratories, Detroit, Michigan). point (Rosen, L., 1974).