Potential for insect transmission of HIV: experimental exposure of Cimex hemipterus and Toxorhynchites amboinensis to human immunodeficiency virus. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Potential for insect transmission of HIV: experimental exposure of Cimex hemipterus and Toxorhynchites amboinensis to human immunodeficiency virus.

J Infect Dis. 1989 Dec;160(6):970-7. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/90063151
Webb PA; Happ CM; Maupin GO; Johnson BJ; Ou CY; Monath TP; Division of Vector-Borne Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease; Control, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522.

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was detected in bedbugs (Cimex hemipterus) up to 8 d after oral exposure to highly concentrated virus in blood meals, but no virus replication was observed. HIV did not replicate in either intraabdominally inoculated bedbugs or intrathoracically inoculated mosquitoes (Toxorhynchites amboinensis). The virus was not detected in bedbug feces. Mechanical transmission of HIV by bedbugs could not be demonstrated in an in vitro model. The persistence of HIV in an insect or on its mouthparts is one of many factors necessary for mechanical transmission in nature. The risk of insect transmission of HIV appears to be extremely low or nonexistent.
Keywords: Animal Base Sequence Bedbugs/*MICROBIOLOGY Culicidae/*MICROBIOLOGY DNA, Viral/ANALYSIS/GENETICS Gene Amplification HIV Infections/*TRANSMISSION HIV-1/GENETICS/*PHYSIOLOGY Molecular Sequence Data Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase/ANALYSIS Virus Replication JOURNAL ARTICLEKWDanimalbasesequencebedbugs/KWDmicrobiologyculicidae/KWDmicrobiologydna,viral/analysis/geneticsgeneamplificationhivinfections/KWDtransmissionhiv-1/genetics/KWDphysiologymolecularsequencedatarepetitivesequences,nucleicacidrna-directeddnapolymerase/analysisvirusreplicationjournalarticle
900330
M9030088

Copyright © 1990 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1990. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1990. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .