Rapid elimination of GB virus C (hepatitis G virus) in the mosquito Aedes aegypti

The transmissibility of the GB virusC (hepatitis G virus; HGV), a member of the Flaviviridae, by a typical flavivirus vector was investigated. Female mosquitoes of the species Aedes aegypti were fed with HGV-infected human bl ood and assayed 1, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after the blood meal for viral RNA, human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA, human beta -actin DNA and A. aegypti actin mRNA by total nucleic acid extraction, reverse transcr iption and PCR. Viral RNA had already disappeared from nucleic acid extract s I h after the blood meal and was not detectable throughout the observatio n period. Aedes-specific mRNA served as an internal control and was detecte d in all nucleic acid extracts, whereas human mRNA had disappeared after 24 h, indicating digestion of human cells. From these results we conclude tha t GB virus C (HGV) cannot replicate in A. aegypti, which is a widespread an d competent Vector of several other flaviviruses. (C) 2001 Editions scienti fiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.