Detection of West Nile virus RNA in pools of three species of ceratopogonids (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) collected in Louisiana

J Med Entomol. 2006 Sep;43(5):1020-2. doi: 10.1603/0022-2585(2006)43[1020:downvr]2.0.co;2.

Abstract

Light traps were used to collect ceratopogonids in East Baton Rouge parish, Louisiana. In total, 46,496 ceratopogonids were sorted from 4,968 light trap collections from 20 November 2002 through 25 November 2004. Two hundred and nine pools containing specimens of 18 species of Culicoides Latreille, seven pools containing specimens of Atrichopogon Kieffer, and five pools containing specimens of Forcipomyia Meigen were tested for West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV) RNA using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Five out of the 209 pools of Culicoides specimens were positive for WNV RNA.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ceratopogonidae / virology*
  • DNA Primers / chemistry
  • Female
  • Insect Vectors / virology*
  • Louisiana
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • West Nile virus / genetics
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • RNA, Viral