Abstract
The study of Culex flavivirus (CxFv), specifically transmission modes and polymorphisms, is essential to further the world’s understanding of mosquito-borne viruses. The collection of Culex mosquitoes from Cleveland, Ohio revealed that CxFv is vertically transmitted and there are some genetic differences among these viral strains. Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) showed a 40% prevalence of CxFv among Culex mosquitoes caught in Cleveland, with a 78% rate of vertical transmission. These genetic differences provide insight into the various CxFv strains present and how the virus spreads in this area. The strains collected from here were more genetically similar to one another than to isolates from other countries according to a phylogenetic analysis. There was a percentage of similarity ranging from 33.51% to 93.04% in the samples collected from Cleveland, with CxFv isolates from India and Brazil being the closest genetic matches not from this collection location. This study effectively focused on viral transmission patterns of CxFv and the genetic differences that provide insight into potential global viral tracking.
Advisor
Nanfack Minkeu, Ferdinand
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Recommended Citation
Oita, Otilia, "Transmission and Polymorphisms of Culex Flavivirus in Wild-Caught Culex Mosquitoes from Cleveland, Ohio" (2024). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 11176.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/11176
Disciplines
Bioinformatics | Entomology | Genetics and Genomics | Life Sciences
Keywords
Insect-specific virus, Culex flavivirus, transmission modes, polymorphisms
Publication Date
2024
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2024 Otilia Oita