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General Abstract Submission

Disease/Vector Studies

Session: Poster Session

P 17 - Vector competence of mosquitoes from Texas to Madariaga virus

Wednesday, March 6, 2024
12:15pm – 1:15pm  
Location: The Grand Hall
Abstract: Madariaga virus (MADV) is a lesser-known member of the eastern equine encephalitis virus complex, prevalent in Latin America. Several MADV equine epizootics have been reported, with case fatality rates exceeding 90% in certain instances. In humans, MADV infection has been associated with severe cases of encephalitis, some of them fatal, but the full impact on human health remains poorly understood. Other key aspects of the virus, including its vertebrate hosts and vectors, remain unknown. Nonetheless, some evidence suggests that non-volant mammals like rodents may serve as the amplifying hosts, while Culex spp. may act as enzootic vectors. Field studies also point to Aedes spp. as epizootic or bridge vectors. Given the potential expansion of MADV’s geographical range, it is possible that the virus could reach the United States (U.S.) in the future, posing a health threat to local animal and human populations. As an initial effort to evaluate different mosquito species from the U.S. for their ability to transmit MADV, this study aims to test the potential of Culex spp. mosquitoes collected in College Station, East-Central Texas, to transmit MADV. For that, mosquitoes of early filial generations (F2-F5) will be orally exposed to MADV, and mosquito body, legs and saliva will be collected at different time points after exposure to determine infection, dissemination, and transmission rates, respectively. Data on the potential ability of local mosquito species to transmit this important pathogen is essential to plan prevention and control strategies in the event of MADV introduction to the country.