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Experiments were carried out to demonstrate the susceptibity and transmission potential of Phlebotomus argentipes (Annandale & Brunetti) for Chandipura virus (CHPV). In India, P. argentipes is one of the predominant species found in many areas endemic for CHPV. Although its laboratory colonization is difficult, we have demonstrated that 65% of P. argentipes were susceptible to CHPV infection by the oral route. Transmission experiments were carried out by intrathoracic inoculation because of re-feeding problems with this species. After incubation for 24 hours, efficient transmission of CHPV to mice was observed. The estimated minimum transmission rate among the inoculated flies was 32%. CHPV in sand flies as well as in mice was detected and confirmed by immunofluorescent antibody assay and reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction, respectively. The susceptibility of P. argentipes to CHPV and its potential to transmit the virus by bite has importance in epidemiology of CHPV.
Received February 20, 2006. Accepted for publication September 13, 2006.
Acknowledgment: We are grateful to the entomology staff, especially P. R. Salunke, for collection of sand flies and rearing them in the laboratory.
* Address correspondence to Gevaeghese Geevarghese, National Institute of Virology, 20/A, Ambedkar Road, Pune-411001, India. E-mail: geevarghese_niv{at}yahoo.co.in
Authors address: Mangala S. Mavale, Pradip V. Fulmali, Yuvraj S. Ghodke, Akhilesh C. Mishra, Phoolchand Kanojia, and G. Geevarghese, National Institute of Virology, 20/A, Ambedkar Road, Pune-411001, India.
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