Persistence of hepatitis B viral antigens in Culex quinquefasciatus.
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Date
1987-03-01
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Abstract
Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were fed on or inoculated with blood or serum positive for hepatitis B viral antigens and pools of mosquitoes were tested by radioimmunoassay daily for 3 weeks after exposure to detect the viral antigens. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detectable up to 3 weeks, while hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) persisted only for 3 days in mosquitoes after feeding on hepatitis B viral antigens-positive blood. Mosquitoes inoculated with serum were HBsAg-positive for 3 weeks and HBeAg positive for 4 days after inoculation. These results suggest that biological multiplication of hepatitis B virus did not occur in these mosquitoes. The possibility of mechanical transmission of hepatitis B antigens by mosquitoes is discussed.
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The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health.
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Citation
Chen CC, Shou L, Hwang LL, Tang P, Tu WC, Lo HS. Persistence of hepatitis B viral antigens in Culex quinquefasciatus. The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 1987 Mar; 18(1): 44-51