Abstract
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), an Orbivirus transmitted by Culicoides spp. vectors, is represented by seven serotypes and numerous strains worldwide. While studies comparing vector competence between serotypes exist, studies between viral strains are lacking. In this study, we examined the rates of infection, dissemination, and transmission of two strains of EHDV-2 orally fed to the known vector, Culicoides sonorensis Wirth & Jones. Culicoides sonorensis cohorts were fed an infectious blood meal containing EHDV-2 strains from either Alberta, Canada (Can-Alberta) or Florida (5.5 log10 PFUe/mL) and tested for the vector’s susceptibility to infection and dissemination. In addition, transmission rates of the virus were assessed and compared using capillary tube and honey card methods. Our results show that the Florida strain had higher infection and dissemination rates than the Can-Alberta strain in spite of the Florida strain having significantly lower viral titers in C. sonorensis bodies, legs, and saliva than the Can-Alberta strain. Overall transmission rates were not significantly different between the two strains but varied significantly between the methods used. These findings suggest that the consequences of EHDV infection in C. sonorensis vary between virus strains and have huge implications in future vector competence studies involving Culicoides species and Orbiviruses.
Highlights
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) (Genus Orbivirus, Family Reoviridae) is a Culicoides-borne virus that affects a variety of domestic and wild ungulates of the families Cervidae and Bovidae
Overall transmission rates were not significantly different between the two strains but varied significantly between the methods used. These findings suggest that the consequences of EHDV infection in C. sonorensis vary between virus strains and have huge implications in future vector competence studies involving Culicoides species and Orbiviruses
Culicoides sonorensis females infected with the Florida EHDV-2 strain had higher rates of infection than those infected with the Can-Alberta strain
Summary
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) (Genus Orbivirus, Family Reoviridae) is a Culicoides-borne virus that affects a variety of domestic and wild ungulates of the families Cervidae and Bovidae. Three EHDV serotypes are known to occur in the USA: EHDV-1, EHDV-2, and EHDV-6 [6,7,8], with serotype determination primarily based on two outer capsid proteins, VP2 and VP5 [9]. Within these serogroups exist numerous geographically distinct viral strains that are characterized by a vast amount of genetic heterogeneity, which contributes to high rates of evolution amongst these strains. Documentation from other pathogen systems shows that even minor genetic variation between virus strains can have significant effects on infection and transmission
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