Abstract
Toxorhynchites splendens , a nonhematophagous mosquito, was evaluated as a bioassay host for the detection and propagation of dengue viruses. All dengue virus serotypes and strains attained titers in Tx. splendens comparable to those observed for 2 strains of Aedes aegypti . Peak virus titers occurred in Tx. splendens approximately 6 days postinoculation; however, specific fluorescence for all viruses was not observed in 100% of mosquito heads until 12 days postinoculation. A 100% correlation was noted between specific fluorescence in Tx. splendens heads and the recovery of virus from corresponding thoraxabdomens. The volume of inoculum tolerated by Tx. splendens was approximately 5 times greater than that injected into Ae. aegypti . Thus, for a given volume of inoculum, the number of Tx. splendens required for virus assays was appreciably less than that needed for Ae. aegypti . The overall survival rate for Tx. splendens following intrathoracic inoculation with dengue viruses was 92%, compared to 41 and 42% for 2 strains of male Ae. aegypti . These findings imply that Tx. splendens would be more efficient than Ae. aegypti as a laboratory assay host for detecting dengue viruses in blood of infected patients and for use in experimental investigations.
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