Relative abundance and species composition of mosquito populations (Diptera:Culicidae) in a La Crosse virus-endemic area in western North Carolina.

Container surveys were conducted in 5 communities on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, an area of western North Carolina endemic for transmission of La Crosse (LAC) virus, to determine the potential for peridomestic mosquito breeding, the relative abundance of mosquito species, and the standing crop of mosquitoes per residence. Eleven species of mosquitoes were collected, but 80.9% of all mosquitoes reared from containers were Aedes triseriatus (Say). All communities averaged > 6 containers per residence, indicating that the potential for mosquito production was high. The Breteau index and mean standing crop of adults per residence in the 5 communities were highly concordant. LAC virus was isolated from 2 pools of 56 female and 36 male Ae. triseriatus adults that were reared from eggs collected by ovitraps. The minimum field infection rate was 0.26 per 1,000 adults tested. Aedes triseriatus, the most frequently collected blood-fed mosquito (98/112 blood-engorged specimens), fed predominantly on dogs (40.4%), rabbits (26.6%), and turtles (22.3%). Only 7.5% of the blood-fed mosquitoes had fed on eastern chipmunks. Peridomestic conditions on the Reservation appear to contribute to the maintenance of LAC virus transmission. Production of Ae. triseriatus occurs in artificial containers discarded around residences, and wooded areas immediately adjacent to residences provide resting cover for mosquitoes as well as suitable habitat for LAC virus reservoir hosts.

Seroepidemiology of La Crosse virus infection in humans in western North Carolina.

On the Cherokee Indian Reservation and surrounding area of western North Carolina, an area-wide serosurvey was conducted to determine the prevalence of neutralizing antibody to La Crosse (LAC) virus. A questionnaire was used to identify risk factors important in exposure to virus-infected mosquitoes in populations near the reservation. Of 1,008 serum samples tested, 9.6% were positive for LAC virus antibody. For samples solely collected from on (n = 311) or off (n = 697) the reservation, the prevalence of seropositive samples was 20.6% on the reservation and only 4.7% off the reservation. Seropositivity increased directly with age, indicating that transmission of LAC virus was highly endemic. Age and location residence (on versus off the reservation) were significant risk factors for exposure to LAC virus. Persons on the reservation were 5.5 times more likely to have been exposed to LAC virus than were people who reside off the reservation. An additive increase in risk of 1.5 times over each age group was found, so that the oldest age group ( > or = 75 years) was 7.5 times more likely to have been exposed to LAC virus than was the youngest age group ( < 1-14 years).

Isolations of Potosi virus from mosquitoes collected in the United States, 1989-94.

Potosi (POT) virus, a recently characterized Bunyamwera serogroup virus, was discovered when it was isolated from Aedes albopictus collected at a waste-tire site in Potosi, Washington County, Missouri, during 1989. During the following year, POT virus was not isolated from 39,048 mosquitoes, including 17,519 Ae. albopictus, collected in Washington County. In 1991, mosquito collections from South Carolina, Ohio, and Michigan yielded 8 strains of POT virus: 6 from Coquillettidia perturbans and one each from Culex restuans and Psorophora columbiae. Additional collections of Ae. albopictus from several states during 1990-93 failed to yield further isolates of POT virus. In 1994, POT virus was isolated from Ae. albopictus and Anopheles punctipennis in North Carolina and from Ae. albopictus in Illinois. These represent the first virus isolations of any type for Ae. albopictus in those states. Thus far, POT virus has been isolated from 5 mosquito species in different genera in 6 states. The known geographic range of POT virus, based on virus isolations, has been extended from Missouri to the upper Midwest and the Atlantic seaboard. Potential vector relationships and possible transmission cycles of POT virus are discussed.

Ecology of porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) and Colorado tick fever virus in Rocky Mountain National Park, 1975-1977.

The involvement of porcupines, Erethizon dorsatum (L.), in the ecology of Colorado tick fever (CTF) virus in Rocky Mountain National Park was investigated from 1975 to 1977. Porcupine dens and feeding activity were found mostly on rocky knolls or on south-facing slopes within open stands of the montane coniferous forest, and 20 adult porcupines were trapped or captured by hand at those locations. An average of 24.6 +/- 5.4 adult Dermacentor andersoni Stiles ticks were found per animal (annual range, 17.5-31.4 ticks). The minimum CTF virus infection rate of the ticks removed from porcupines varied from 129 to 257, whereas for questing adult D. andersoni ticks from the same geographic area was 205 in 1976. No virus was isolated from the 20 animals, but 85% had neutralizing antibody against CTF virus. Porcupines utilize the same habitats described for the CTF ecosystem in Rocky Mountain National Park and appear to be an important host for adult D. andersoni.

Relationship of cliff swallows, ectoparasites, and an Alphavirus in west-central Oklahoma.

Approximately 250 isolates of a newly recognized virus, related to western equine encephalitis virus (family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus), were obtained from cimicid bugs, Oeciacus vicarius; Cliff Swallows, Hirundo pyrrhonata; and House Sparrows, Passer domesticus in a study area in west-central Oklahoma at Buggy Creek and Caddo Canyons. Antigenicity of the virus strains varied slightly from isolate to isolate. This paper summarizes the ecology of the area by describing in general the flora and fauna there.

Transmission of a newly recognized virus (Bunyaviridae, Bunyavirus) isolated from Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Potosi, Missouri.

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) mosquitoes collected in Potosi, Mo., were tested for their ability to transmit a newly recognized Bunyamwera sero group virus isolated from the same mosquito population. Mosquitoes were fed artificial blood meals containing 4.5-6.2 log10 TCID50 of virus per ml. After 7-29 d at 25 degrees C, 79-99% of the mosquitoes had disseminated infections and 0-26% transmitted virus to fluid-filled capillary tubes. Transmission was first observed after 7 d of extrinsic incubation. Tests failed to detect transovarial transmission in 5,145 progeny from ovarian cycles 2-4. Following parenteral inoculation with 5.3-6.0 log10 TCID50 of virus, four of nine adult hamsters developed viremia. Ten of 16 suckling mice died following intracerebral inoculation of 5.0 log10 TCID50 of virus (fifth Vero cell passage); the average survival time was 8.8 d (SD, 3.5). No mortality occurred in 10 suckling mice inoculated with 3.6 log10 TCID50 of virus (second Vero cell passage).

Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus infection in and transmission by the tick Amblyomma cajennense (Arachnida: Ixodidae).

To assess a possible role of ticks as the maintenance host for epizootic strains of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus, laboratory experiments were conducted to determine if ticks could become infected, maintain, and transmit the virus. Larval and nymphal Amblyomma cajennense (F.) and larval Dermacentor nitens Neumann ticks were exposed to epizootic VEE virus (Trinidad donkey strain) by allowing them to feed on viremic guinea pigs (strain 13). In A. cajennense, transstadial transmission was observed from larvae to nymphs and adults. Horizontal viral transmission to a mammalian host was accomplished by nymphs. Infection rates in nymphs and adults were 2% (42/2,750) and 4% (9/244), respectively, afer ingestion of virus as larvae. Virus was detected in A. cajennense adult ticks for up to 171 d after infection in the larval stage. A cajennense, exposed as nymphs, ingested virus but did not become infected (0/164 after 10 d after taking an infective bloodmeal). No virus was detected in D. nitens 7 d after exposure. These findings suggest that A. cajennense potentially could be involved in an interepizootic maintenance cycle of epizootic VEE viral strains.

Laboratory studies of a Brazilian strain of Aedes albopictus as a potential vector of Mayaro and Oropouche viruses.

The vector efficiency of colonized Aedes albopictus from Brazil was assessed for Mayaro (MAY) and Oropouche (ORO) viruses. Female mosquitoes, 3-4 days old, were fed on a MAY-infected hamster with a viremia level of 5.3 log10 Vero cell plaque-forming units (PFU) of virus/ml or an ORO-infected hamster circulating 7.3 log10 PFU/ml. Mayaro infection rates among fed mosquitoes were 16.9 and 11% at 6, 13 and 20 days postfeeding, respectively, and 1/2 and 2/2 infected mosquitoes transmitted virus on days 13 and 20, respectively. Only 13, 5 and 3% of mosquitoes were infected with ORO virus at 6, 13 and 20 days, respectively, and no transmission occurred. Mosquitoes were also fed on 3 dilutions of MAY virus-blood suspensions in membrane feeders. The infection rate among mosquitoes fed the highest concentration (7.7 log10 PFU/ml) was 11/13 (85%), and 5/11 (46%) infected mosquitoes transmitted virus.

A duplex cone trap for the collection of adult Aedes albopictus.

A duplex cone trap was developed for the collection of Aedes albopictus adults. This device employs carbon dioxide and a visual attractant to draw mosquitoes into an air current created by a 6-volt battery-powered fan. In comparison with 8 other adult mosquito traps, the duplex cone was most effective in capturing Ae. albopictus females. A greater diversity of mosquito species was caught in the duplex cone trap compared with the other traps tested. In an experiment comparing the duplex cone trap with human biting collections, this trap proved to be an efficient and sensitive means of monitoring Ae. albopictus population changes.

A new arbovirus from Aedes albopictus, an Asian mosquito established in the United States.

Ten strains of a new arbovirus belonging to the Bunyamwera group (Bunyaviridae) were recovered from field-collected Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in Potosi, Missouri. This evidence indicates that this species may serve as an arbovirus vector in the United States. The urban-suburban distribution, aggressive biting behavior, and broad viral susceptibility of Ae. albopictus may lead to the transmission of viruses of known public health importance and perhaps of viruses hitherto not transmitted to humans because of the feeding pattern of their usual vectors.

Apparent influence of the stage of blood meal digestion on the efficacy of ground applied ULV aerosols for the control of urban Culex mosquitoes. I. Field evidence.

The impact of ULV resmethrin on urban Culex mosquitoes was evaluated in 4 field trials by monitoring daily oviposition rate. A well-defined oscillation of effect, with a period corresponding to the duration of the gonotrophic cycle, was observed. We postulate that this oscillation arises from changes in susceptibility following blood feeding and/or behavioral factors. The data indicate that a single treatment with ULV may be inadequate for the effective control of vector mosquitoes.

Isolation of Tete serogroup bunyaviruses from Ceratopogonidae collected in Colorado.

Two viruses were isolated from ceratopogonid midges collected in northern Colorado. Electron microscopy indicated that both isolates were bunyavirus-like. Indirect fluorescent antibody and serum dilution-plaque reduction neutralization tests showed that these isolates were members of the Tete serogroup, most closely related antigenically to Tete and Batama viruses but distinguishable from both and from each other. We suggest the name Weldona virus for these isolates. Antibody in both waterfowl and passerine birds in northern Colorado indicates the enzootic presence of these viruses in northern Colorado and raises unanswered questions about the introduction and establishment of Tete serogroup viruses in the Americas.

Swedish Culex torrentium and Cx. pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) as experimental vectors of Ockelbo virus.

The ability of the sibling species Culex pipiens (L.) and Culex torrentium (Martini) from central Sweden to transmit Ockelbo (OCK) virus was determined. Both species became infected after ingesting OCK virus from a viremic chicken; they transmitted this virus to chickens after 21-28 d of extrinsic incubation. In Cx. torrentium, infection rates were 90% or higher, and all 10 refeeding mosquitoes transmitted virus after feeding on chickens with a viremia of at least 10(3.0) plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml. In contrast, only 1 of 28 (4%) of the Cx. pipiens that ingested blood containing 10(3.0-3.9) PFU/ml became infected, and none of 16 refeeding mosquitoes transmitted virus. However, 98 of 184 (53%) of the Cx. pipiens that ingested a blood meal containing at least 10(6.0) PFU/ml became infected. Transmission rates in Cx. pipiens increased with increasing virus concentration in the blood meal to a maximum of 37% in mosquitoes that ingested greater than 10(8.0) PFU/ml. Based on these data, both Cx. pipiens and Cx. torrentium are capable of transmitting OCK virus in an enzootic cycle involving birds as hosts. However, Cx. torrentium appears to be physiologically a more efficient vector than Cx. pipiens.

Aedes albopictus and other container-inhabiting mosquitoes in the United States: results of an eight-city survey.

Extensive surveys were conducted in 1987 in Baytown, TX; Lafayette, Shreveport and Baton Rouge, LA; Memphis, TN; Kansas City, MO; Evansville, IN; and Jacksonville, FL. The program objective was to determine the intensity of Aedes albopictus infestations, to evaluate the degree to which Ae. albopictus had spread into residential areas, to document habitat selection and to obtain background information for possible suppression or eradication projects. This report describes the survey methods and presents a preliminary analysis of the data. Larvae, pupae and adult mosquitoes were collected from container habitats in a randomized selection of urban premises as well as at and around sites known to be at high risk for introduction of Ae. albopictus. Adult or larval mosquitoes were collected from 24.4% of 5,728 premises inspected, and there were an average of 3.27 positive containers per positive premise. Several known disease vectors, especially Culex pipiens (s.l.), were frequently found in urban container habitats. The large numbers of specimens collected during the surveys and the detailed information available for each collection make this a useful database for comparison in future studies.

Past, present and future of Aedes albopictus in the United States.

Aedes albopictus was first detected in Houston, Texas, in 1985. Since then it has spread to 17 states and 122 counties. This exotic species from Asia appears to have arrived in the U.S. in imported used tire casings. Public health concerns have been raised regarding the potential of this species to serve as a vector of arboviruses indigenous to the U.S., such as La Crosse encephalitis, and also for imported dengue. The Division of Vector-Borne Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, has actively pursued a program to determine the distribution of Ae. albopictus in the U.S., monitor the spread of the species and implement procedures that would eliminate the risk of further importation of exotic mosquitoes in used tire casings. The latter goal was achieved in large measure in 1988 with a 98% reduction in imported used tires containing water. The ultimate consequences of establishment of Ae. albopictus in the U.S. is unknown; however, because of its biologic characteristics and broad viral susceptibility, it seems likely that this species will eventually become involved as an arbovirus vector in the U.S.

Occurrence of Culex erythrothorax in southeastern Colorado and report of virus isolations from this and other mosquito species.

Significant numbers of Culex erythrothorax were collected during arbovirus surveillance in 1987 and 1988 at Las Animas, Bent County, on the high plains of southeastern Colorado. This finding extends the range of this species to the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. The isolation of western equine encephalitis virus in 1988 from both Cx. tarsalis and Cx. erythrothorax suggests that the latter also may be involved in the endemic cycle of this virus in the area. St. Louis encephalitis, Hart Park, Turlock, and a Bunyamwera group virus were also isolated from the mosquitoes collected.

Ecologic studies of mosquitoes and birds as hosts of Ockelbo virus in Sweden and isolation of Inkoo and Batai viruses from mosquitoes.

Field studies were conducted in central Sweden from 1983 through 1985 to obtain information on the etiologic agent of Ockelbo disease, described in Sweden in the 1960s and probably identical to Pogosta disease in Finland and to Karelian fever in the western USSR. Mosquitoes (63,644) collected during this 3 year period yielded 21 virus strains. Ockelbo virus isolations were from Culiseta morsitans (5 strains), Culex pipiens and/or Cx. torrentium (6 strains), and Aedes cinereus (3 strains). Inkoo (6 strains) and Batai (1 strain) viruses were recovered from Ae. communis. Blood samples collected March-May from migrating birds on the southeast and est coast of Sweden and in July and August from resident birds in east-central Sweden were tested for neutralizing antibody to Ockelbo virus. Antibody was not detected in 328 birds sampled during spring migrations. Two of 58 (3.4%) birds bled in July and 8 of 78 birds (10%) bled in August had antibody to Ockelbo virus. Ockelbo virus circulates in a mosquito-bird-mosquito cycle, with Cs. morsitans and Cx. pipiens and/or Cx. torrentium as enzootic vectors. Antibody was detected in passerine birds. Other classes of birds or other vertebrates were not sampled. Aedes cinereus may serve primarily to transmit virus to people. The role of other mosquito species as vectors for people is unknown.

Surveillance of St. Louis encephalitis virus vectors in Grand Junction, Colorado, in 1987.

Grand Junction, Colorado, was the site of a St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) outbreak in 1985. Epidemiologic and ecologic investigations in 1985 and 1986 suggested that Culex tarsalis may not have been the exclusive vector in the outbreak and that Cx. pipiens may have contributed to transmission as an accessory vector. A limited field study in 1987 generally confirmed observations from 1986 that Cx. pipiens was more abundant than Cx. tarsalis in late summer when SLE virus transmission normally occurs. In both years, infection rates in Cx. tarsalis were higher than in Cx. pipiens, but in 1987 the only SLE virus isolate from Cx. pipiens was obtained early in the season. Truck trap collections showed that Cx. pipiens was the principal vector species collected, comprising 86% of the total. Light trap collections underestimated the population of Cx. pipiens; gravid trap collections gave a closer approximation of the relative proportions of Cx. pipiens and Cx. tarsalis in the vector mosquito population after midsummer.

Antibody prevalence of St. Louis encephalitis virus in avian hosts in Los Angeles, California, 1986.

A study was conducted to determine the pattern of St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus activity in the avian populations of the Los Angeles metropolitan area in 1986. In total, 679 birds of 42 species were captured at 7 study sites. The overall prevalence of SLE neutralizing (N) antibody of 3% indicated enzootic transmission. Antibody prevalences were higher in birds sampled in the central part of the metropolitan area, which was consistent with other epidemiologic data. The use of specific avian species as sentinels for future surveillance of SLE virus activity was suggested.