Detection of West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes of Montana through RT-PCR and TaqMan Assays and Correlation to Reservoir Competent Avian Populations
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Authors
Semmens, Katie
Advisor
Sam Alvey
Jennifer Glowienka
Kelly Cline
Jennifer Glowienka
Kelly Cline
Editor
Date of Issue
2010-04-01
Subject Keywords
Culex tarsalis, mosquitoes, West Nile virus, birds
Publisher
Citation
Series/Report No.
item.page.identifier
Title
Detection of West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes of Montana through RT-PCR and TaqMan Assays and Correlation to Reservoir Competent Avian Populations
Other Titles
Type
thesis
Description
Abstract
First emerging in the United States in 1999, and Montana in 2002, West Nile Virus (WNV) has had a significant impact on human and avian populations. Due to this significance, a greater understanding of the factors affecting the prevalence of WNV is necessary. Mosquitoes were collected from 27 locations across the state of Montana throughout the summer of 2009. RT-PCR and TaqMan assays were used to identify positive pools of mosquitoes, with three locations testing positive. As avian species serve as a reservoir for the virus, it is hypothesized that locations testing positive for WNV should have a greater presence of reservoir competent species. A contingency analysis was run to test for an association between the presence of avian competent species and WNV, resulting in a p-value of 0.425. These results do not establish a statistically significant correlation between presence of reservoir competent species and WNV. However, due to limitations, further analysis is necessary to determine if a significant correlation exists and if other factors are involved.
Sponsors
Degree Awarded
Bachelor's
Semester
Spring
Department
Life & Environmental Sciences