Implicating Culicoides biting midges as vectors of Schmallenberg virus using semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The recent unprecedented emergence of arboviruses transmitted by Culicoides biting midges in northern Europe has necessitated the development of techniques to differentiate competent vector species. At present these techniques are entirely reliant upon interpretation of semi-quantitative RT-PCR (sqPCR) data in the form of Cq values used to infer the presence of viral RNA in samples.

Methodology/principal findings

This study investigates the advantages and limitations of sqPCR in this role by comparing infection and dissemination rates of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in two colony lines of Culicoides. Through the use of these behaviorally malleable lines we provide tools for demarcating arbovirus infection and dissemination rates in Culicoides which to date have preve

SUBMITTER: Veronesi E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3592918 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature