Vector Transmitted Infectious Diseases Core

Many of the most widely distributed infectious diseases are transmitted to humans by insects. Bacteria, viruses and protozoa can all be transmitted to humans by insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, mites, lice and biting flies. Some of the most important emerging infectious diseases are examples of vector borne diseases. These include several of the hemorrhagic fever viruses, the encephalitis viruses, bacteria such as Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, spirochetes such as Borrelia species, rickettsiae and protozoa such as malaria. Arthropod containment levels 3 and 4 are required for research on many of these emerging vector borne infectious diseases. Critical research questions involving vector borne pathogens include natural infection studies with hemorrhagic fever viruses, vector competence experiments to determine what insects are capable of transmitting the microorganisms, and testing of immune and non-immune mediated strategies to eliminate pathogens from vectors (so called vector interruption strategies).

Functions and Services

The major functions and services provided by the Core include:

• Natural infection studies with ACL 3 and 4 agents. Vector competence experiments for ACL 3 and 4 agents.
• Testing of immune and non-immune mediated strategies to eliminate ACL 3 and 4 pathogens from vectors (vector pathogen elimination or vector transmission interruption experiments).