AEDES-ALBOPICTUS (DIPTERA, CULICIDAE) IS INCOMPETENT AS A VECTOR OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS

In laboratory experiments, Aedes albopictus females were fed hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected human blood with a unit-feeding apparatus. Poo ls of engorged females were tested at various time intervals after the ir blood meal for the presence of HCV RNA using two methods in paralle l: reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PC R with the Amplicor HCV system. Comparable results were obtained with both methods. Mosquitoes were found to be positive only immediately an d 24 h after feeding. Moreover, female progeny produced negative resul ts. Our results indicate that the Ae.albopictus strain used is incompe tent as a vector of HCV.