Detection of a new insect flavivirus and isolation of Aedes flavivirus in Northern Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During recent years, numerous novel 'insect flaviviruses' have been discovered in natural mosquito populations. In a previous study we described the presence of flavivirus DNA sequences integrated in Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) populations from Northern Italy in 2007.

Methods

During 2008 we collected and tested Aedes females for flavivirus presence and developed phylogenetic analysis, virus isolation, electron microscopy studies and RNAse treatments.

Results

We detected a high prevalence of flavivirus in Ae. albopictus (77.5%). The phylogenetic analysis identified the insect flavivirus sequences as Aedes flavivirus (AEFV) recently described in Japan, and that may have been introduced in Italy travelling with the tiger mosquito. Some of these poo

SUBMITTER: Roiz D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3481474 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature