Experimental infection of the bat tick Carios fonsecai (Acari: Ixodidae) with the rabies virus

Introduction This study assessed the viability of the rabies virus in the argasid tick Carios fonsecai following experimental infection. Methods The mouse inoculation test (MIT), fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used. The rabies virus was administered to ticks via the intra-coelomic route, and the ticks were sacrificed at different time points. Results The inoculated ticks were negative for rabies according to the MIT. Ticks macerated with rabies virus were positive according to the MIT and FAT. All of the tick lots tested by PCR were positive. Conclusions The rabies virus became unviable shortly after its inoculation into tick bodies. Ticks are not likely to play an important role in the epidemiology of rabies.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Favoretto,Silvana Regina, Almeida,Marilene Fernandes de, Martorelli,Luzia Fatima Alves, Aires,Caroline Cotrin, Labruna,Marcelo Bahia, Kataoka,Ana Paula Arruda Geraldes, Campos,Angelica Cristine de Almeida, Sacramento,Debora Regina Veiga, Durigon,Edison Luiz, Koprowski,Hilary
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 2013
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822013000600788
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