Selected species of mosquitoes and Ornithodoros ticks were evaluated for their potential to transmit Karshi and Langat (tick-borne encephalitis virus complex) viruses in the laboratory. Although there was no evidence of replication of Karshi virus in either of the two mosquito species tested [Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann) or Culex pipiens (L.)], Karshi virus replicated in and was transmitted by all three species of Ornithodoros ticks tested (Ornithodoros parkeri Cooley, Ornithodoros sonrai Sautet & Witkowski, and Ornithodoros tartakovskyi Olenev). When inoculated with Karshi virus, 90% of Ornithodoros ticks (44/49) transmitted this virus by bite to suckling mice, and transmission continued to occur for at least 1 yr, the longest extrinsic incubation tested. After feeding on a suckling mouse with a viremia of ≈105 suckling mouse subcutaneous lethal dose50 units of Karshi virus per milliliter of blood, all three species of Ornithodoros tested became infected with and transmitted Karshi virus both trans-stadially and horizontally by bite to suckling mice. In addition, female O. tartakovskyi transmitted Karshi virus vertically to their progeny. In a continuation of a previous study, O. sonrai, orally exposed to Langat virus, were able to transmit this virus after >3 yr, the longest interval tested. Therefore, Ornithodoros spp. should be considered as potential vectors and as possible long-term maintenance hosts for Karshi virus and other members of the tick-borne encephalitis virus complex.
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1 September 2004
Experimental Transmission of Karshi and Langat (Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Complex) Viruses by Ornithodoros Ticks (Acari: Argasidae)
M. J. Turell,
C. N. Mores,
J. S. Lee,
J. J. Paragas,
D. Shermuhemedova,
T. P. Endy,
S. Khodjaev
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Journal of Medical Entomology
Vol. 41 • No. 5
September 2004
Vol. 41 • No. 5
September 2004
Karshi virus
mosquitoes
Ornithodoros
tick-borne encephalitis virus
vector competency