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Experiments were conducted in the laboratory on Phlebotomus papatasi to determine the possible role of males in maintaining or sustaining the Chandipura virus (CHPV) activity in nature. This study indicated that infected males are capable of passing on the virus to female sand flies while mating. The infection rate was found to be 12.5% in uninfected females when mated with infected males. The occurrence of venereal transmission of this virus may have epidemiologic importance in the natural cycle of CHPV.
Received April 24, 2006. Accepted for publication August 17, 2006.
Acknowledgments: We are very grateful to the entomology staff, especially P. R. Salunke, for sand fly collection and rearing in the laboratory.
* Address correspondence to M. S. Mavale, National Institute of Virology (NIV), 20/A, Ambedkar Road, Pune 411001, India. E-mail: pradip_nrcg{at}yahoo.co.in
Authors addresses: M. S. Mavale, P. V. Fulmali, G. Geevarghese, V. A. Arankalle, Y. S. Ghodke, P. C. Kanojia, and A. C. Mishra, Entomology Department, National Institute of Virology (MCC Campus), Sus Road, Pashan, Pune-411021, India.
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