Virus Isolations from Forest Mosquitoes in San Vicente de Chucuri, Colombia

Abstract

SummaryTwelve strains of arbor virus were isolated from 41,564 forest mosquitoes collected in San Vicente de Chucurí, Santander, Colombia, during the 17-month period from November, 1958, to March, 1960. Mosquitoes were collected with human bait and a very simple light trap and shipped under refrigeration by air to a distant laboratory where they were identified and inoculated into infant mice.The virus isolates include four strains of Mayaro, all from Psorophora; four strains of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), two from Psorophora and two from Culex; three strains of Ilhéus, all from Psorophora ferox; and one strain from Culex, unidentified as yet but clearly belonging to Casals' group B.All isolations were made from mosquitoes captured in the four valley bottom stations where about 92.5% of the mosquitoes were collected. Earlier studies in San Vicente had shown much higher prevalence rates of antibody to Ilhéus and to VEE in valley bottom residents than in foothill residents. This may be correlated with the prevalence of mosquitoes, which are much more abundant in the valley bottom area.