Evaluation of blowfly larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as possible reservoirs and mechanical vectors of African swine fever virus

摘要: In 2014, highly virulent African swine fever virus (ASFV) was introduced into the Baltic States and Poland, with new cases being reported almost every week from wild boar also domestic pigs. Contrary to initial predictions that disease would either die out due high virulence of strain or spread rapidly in westerly direction, infection became endemic slowly. The unexpected epidemiology led hypothesis hitherto unconsidered factors might contribute persistence dispersal. To check whether arthropod species feeding developing on infected carcasses be involved, larvae two commonly found blowfly species, Lucilia sericata Calliphora vicina, were experimentally bred ASFV-infected spleen tissue. After different time intervals, pupae tested for infectious viral DNA. By qPCR, contamination ASFV-DNA could demonstrated even after several washing steps, proving uptake during larval stage. However, never isolated. contrast, appeared have inactivated ASFV offered tissue, which explained by known anti-biotic effect salivary secretions. It is concluded immature stages do not play a relevant role as reservoirs mechanical vectors ASFV.