A simple technique for infection of mosquitoes with viruses; transmission of Zika virus

Abstract

A technique employing a mouse skin membrane and heparin-treated blood for infecting mosquitoes and for the demonstration of virus transmission is described.

(2) Using this technique, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were infected with Zika virus.

(3) Little or no virus was detectable in the mosquitoes on days 5 to 10, but thereafter the virus level rose and remained steady at approximately 105.0 mouse LD50 per mosquito, from day 20 until day 60.

(4) Back-feeding experiments through a mouse skin membrane into uninfected mouse blood resulted in transmission of virus in 12 out of 20 cases.

5. Successful infection of a rhesus monkey by the bites of three mosquitoes was demonstrated 72 days after an infected blood meal.

(6) The significance of these findings in the epidemiology of Zika virus infections is discussed.