Vector competence of certain Culex and Aedes mosquitoes for the Chittoor virus, the Indian variant of Batai virus

Chittoor virus (CHITV), a mosquito-borne bunyavirus (Orthobunyavirus: Bunyaviridae) isolated in India, has been found to be antigenically close to the Batai virus (BATV),which has a wide distribution across Asia, Europe and Africa. The latter causes influenza-like illness in humans and mild illness in sheep and goats. BATV has been involved in genetic reassortment with other bunyaviruses, generating novel genome combinations and causing severe clinical manifestations including hemorrhagic fever. Conversely, CHITV has never been associated with any major outbreaks in India, although neutralizing antibodies have been detected in humans and domestic animals. Repeated isolations and seroprevalence have prompted us to determine the vector competence of three important mosquito species, viz., Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Aedes aegypti, for CHITV. The three mosquito species replicated CHITV to titers of 6.3, 5.0 and 5.2 log10TCID50/ml, respectively, and maintained the virus for substantial periods. Both the Culex species demonstrated vector competence, while Ae aegypti did not. Horizontal transmission to infant mice was also demonstrated by both the Culex species. Active circulation of the virus and the availability of both susceptible hosts and competent vector mosquitoes pose a serious threat to public health should there be a reassortment.

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