Why are biting midges so efficient at transmitting viruses?

Authors: Drolet, Barbara; ROZO-LOPEZ, PAULA - University Of Tennessee; Reister-Hendricks, Lindsey

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Blood-feeding Culicoides spp. biting midges are of great agricultural importance as livestock and wildlife pests and as vectors of the orbiviruses bluetongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, as well as the rhabdovirus vesicular stomatitis virus. During feeding on susceptible animal hosts, saliva is deposited which contains anti-hemostatic factors and protease inhibitors to facilitate feeding and immunomodulate host defenses to protect the insect. These same proteins elicit responses in the skin of animals that actually help viruses establish localized infection and disseminate throughout the animal. Additionally, feeding rates and age matter. The more bloodmeals midges take after becoming infected, or the older they are when first infected, the more virus they have to transmit. This research provides insights into midge transmission efficiency and highlights the epidemiological implications of that efficiency in terms of outbreak dynamics over the vector season.