Abstract
RECENT investigations1 of the mechanism of the transmission of myxomatosis of rabbits by mosquitoes have brought to our attention certain clear-cut differences between the transmission by mosquitoes of those diseases in which a ‘biological cycle’ occurs in the insect vector, and those in which carriage is purely mechanical. Among the animal viruses, it is only in fowlpox2,3 and myxomatosis1,4 that mosquito transmission has been conclusively shown to be mechanical in nature. In all the other mosquito-transmitted virus diseases that have been adequately studied (dengue, yellow fever, the viral encephalitides, and Rift Valley fever), there is a ‘biological cycle’ in the mosquito. Certain implications of these contrasting modes of transmission are summarized in the accompanying table.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Fenner, F., Day, M. F., and Woodroofe, G. M., Aust. J. Exp. Biol., 30, 139 (1952).
Kligler, I. J., and Ashner, M., Brit. J. Exp. Path., 10, 347 (1929).
Brody, A. L., Cornell Univ. Agric. Exp. Stat. Mem. 195 (1936).
Aragāo, H. B., Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz, 38, 93 (1943).
Millard, C. K., Brit. Med. J., i, 628 (1944).
Shope, R. E., Arch. ges. Virusforsch., 1, 457 (1940).
Simmons, J. S., St. John, J. H., and Reynolds, F. H. K., Philipp. J. Sci., 44, 1 (1931).
Philip, C. B., Ann. Trop. Med. and Parasit., 24, 493 (1930).
St. John, J. H., Simmons, J. S., and Reynolds, F. H. K., Ann. J. Trop. Med., 10, 237 (1930).
Smith, W., Brit. J. Exp. Path., 10, 93 (1929).
Epstein, B., Fonseca, N. M., and DeRobertis, E., J. Exp. Med., 94, 171 (1951).
Scott, J. W., J. Amer. Med. Vet. Assoc., 9, 448 (1920).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
FENNER, F., DAY, M. Contrasting Methods of Transmission of Animal Viruses by Mosquitoes. Nature 170, 204 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1038/170204a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/170204a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.