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Full-Text Articles in Veterinary Medicine
Influence Of Aedes Aegypti Saliva On The Vertebrate Host Response To Dengue Virus, Michael Kevin Mccracken
Influence Of Aedes Aegypti Saliva On The Vertebrate Host Response To Dengue Virus, Michael Kevin Mccracken
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Dengue virus (DENV) is maintained in a primarily anthroponotic cycle between humans and the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Investigations into DENV infection of the vertebrate host generally do not account for the contribution of vector saliva, an inherent part of the mosquito-borne viral inoculum. Feeding by mosquitoes on vertebrate hosts is initiated by probing, which results in physical damage to the skin and vasculature, and the simultaneous introduction of DENV and saliva into the skin. Saliva contains many individual proteins with the potential to modulate host hemostasis and immune responses, thereby facilitating blood feeding and virus transmission. As exogenous antigens, both …
Arbovirus Phenotype Alters Transmission Potential, Rebecca C. Christofferson
Arbovirus Phenotype Alters Transmission Potential, Rebecca C. Christofferson
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Extrinsic and environmental factors are known to affect the transmission of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), including variations in the arthropod vector populations. Differences among these factors have been associated with differential transmission and are sometimes used to control the spread of an arbovirus through a vertebrate population in an effort to prevent or disrupt an outbreak. However, diversity in intrinsic viral populations, such as genetic and phenotypic variability, is not often accounted for when considering alterations in transmission. Presented in this dissertation are four experimental studies that explore the contribution of viral intrinsic factors, especially phenotypic variability, to the transmission potential …
The Epidemiology Of West Nile Virus In Louisiana, Karen Ruth Gruszynski
The Epidemiology Of West Nile Virus In Louisiana, Karen Ruth Gruszynski
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the genus Flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes, first appeared in the New York in 1999. Within five years WNV was detected throughout the contiguous 48 states causing disease in reservoirs and accidental hosts alike. In Louisiana, WNV was first detected in 2001 with one human case, ten equine cases, and six dead birds reported. The introduction of WNV into Louisiana presented an unique opportunity to observe an emerging disease unfold, so a study was launched to gain insight into the epidemiology of WNV in Louisiana. The first component, an environmental predictive model for West …