Persistence of hepatitis B viral antigens in Culex quinquefasciatus
Chen, C.C.; Shou, L.; Hwang, L.L.; Tang, P.; Tu, W.C.; Lo, H.S.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 18(1): 44-51
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 3660067 Document Number: 297035
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.