Abstract

Arboviruses are being recognized as an increasing health hazard in both tropical and temperate zones, and others are continually being discovered as improved diagnostic techniques are developed. A number of diseases that previously had unknown causes are now known to be infections by these arboviruses. Further research is needed to understand the complete natural history of arboviruses and provide simple and rapid diagnostic techniques. The project will study yellow fever in Trinidad by developing two new cell lines of two particular mosquitoes into an efficient diagnostic tool for arboviral studies and study the jungle reservoirs of yellow fever between outbreaks of the disease.

Post-Project Summary

In order to verify the possibility of natural transmission of yellow fever virus from parent to offspring, Haemgogus mosquito eggs were collected, reared in the laboratory, and processed. No virus was detected in the progeny. Studies in the use of animal and insect tissue to diagnose and isolate arboviruses showed that a cell culture from mosquitoes (AP-61) was more economical and superior to conventional methods using mice. The cell line was supplied to various countries. In the study areas of Chaguaramas, Melaho/Vega de Oropouche, and Cedros, researchers were not able to demonstrate a jungle reservoir or a host for the yellow fever virus in the interepidemic period. While the virus was isolated in Haemgogus mosquitoes from the Chaguaramas area, researchers concluded that it was a carry-over from a previous epidemic. A total of 22 scientists attended the "Meeting of Arbovirologists in Latin America and the Caribbean" held in Trinidad, January 24-26, 1983.

Recipient Institution(s)