Host range and specificity of the Drosophila C virus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Drosophila C virus (DCV) is a common and well-studied Drosophila pathogen. Although natural infections are known from Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans, and artificial infections have been reported from several Drosophila species and other insects, it remains unclear to date whether DCV infections also occur naturally in other Drosophila species.

Methods/principal findings

Using reverse transcription PCR, we detected natural infections in six Drosophila species, which have not been previously known as natural hosts. By subsequent Sanger sequencing we compared DCV haplotypes among eight Drosophila host species. Our data suggest that cross-infections might be frequent both within and among species within the laboratory environment. Moreover, we find that s

SUBMITTER: Kapun M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2928731 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature