Isolation and characterization of sylvatic mosquito-borne viruses in Trinidad: enzootic transmission and a new potential vector of Mucambo virus

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010 Dec;83(6):1262-5. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0280.

Abstract

Mosquito surveillance was carried out in three forested regions of Trinidad during July 2007-March 2009. A total of 185,397 mosquitoes representing at least 46 species was collected, divided into pools of 1-50 mosquitoes according to species and sex, and screened for arboviruses using cytopathic effect assays on Vero cell monolayers. Eighty-five viruses were isolated, including members of the genera Alphavirus (Mucambo virus; MUCV) and Orthobunyavirus (Caraparu, Oriboca, Bimiti, and Wyeomyia viruses). Species of the Culex subgenus Melanoconion accounted for 56% of the total number of mosquitoes collected and 97% of the viruses isolated; Cx. (Mel.) portesi accounted for 92% of virus isolations. Our results also implicate for the first time Aedes (Ochlerotatus) hortator as a potential vector of MUCV. Phylogenetic analyses of 43 MUCV strains suggest population subdivision within Trinidad, consistent with the hypothesis of enzootic maintenance in localized rodent populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alphavirus / classification*
  • Alphavirus / genetics
  • Alphavirus / isolation & purification
  • Alphavirus / physiology
  • Animals
  • Culicidae / virology*
  • Insect Vectors*
  • Orthobunyavirus / classification*
  • Orthobunyavirus / genetics
  • Orthobunyavirus / isolation & purification
  • Orthobunyavirus / physiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Population Dynamics
  • Time Factors
  • Trees
  • Trinidad and Tobago