Laboratory demonstration of the vertical transmission of Rift Valley fever virus by Culex tarsalis mosquitoes

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021 Mar 22;15(3):e0009273. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009273. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted virus with proven ability to emerge into naïve geographic areas. Limited field evidence suggests that RVFV is transmitted vertically from parent mosquito to offspring, but until now this mechanism has not been confirmed in the laboratory. Furthermore, this transmission mechanism has allowed for the prediction of RVFV epizootics based on rainfall patterns collected from satellite information. However, in spite of the relevance to the initiation of epizootic events, laboratory confirmation of vertical transmission has remained an elusive research aim for thirty-five years. Herein we present preliminary evidence of the vertical transmission of RVFV by Culex tarsalis mosquitoes after oral exposure to RVFV. Progeny from three successive gonotrophic cycles were reared to adults, with infectious RVFV confirmed in each developmental stage. Virus was detected in ovarian tissues of parental mosquitoes 7 days after imbibing an infectious bloodmeal. Infection was confirmed in progeny as early as the first gonotrophic cycle, with infection rates ranging from 2.0-10.0%. Virus titers among progeny were low, which may indicate a host mechanism suppressing replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Culex / virology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical*
  • Male
  • Mosquito Vectors / classification
  • Mosquito Vectors / virology*
  • Ovary / virology
  • Rift Valley Fever / transmission*
  • Rift Valley fever virus / isolation & purification
  • Viral Load

Grants and funding

RCK utilized startup funds from Colorado State University. CSU had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.