Experimental evidences suggests that HIV infection is not transmitted via arthropods including mosquitoes. However, one paper investigated possible transmission of HIV-1 by African soft tick, ornithodoros moubata. This vector has the potentiality for mechanical transmission of HIV viruses (which otherwise do not survive in arthropods) under field conditions. But this is an old research and any new insights on this topic?
Is this a cause for alarm? As far as we know, HIV is not transmitted by bites of ticks, mites or mosquitoes and there are no evidences to suggest that retroviruses are transmitted by arthropods.
Evaluation of mechanical transmission of HIV by the African soft tick, Ornithodoros moubata.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8471196
As far as I know there is no evidence of arthropod participation in HIV transmission. I may recommend a short commentary on the subject by J. Goddard in his book "Physician's Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance", 2003, CRC Press, p. 251.
All the best.
As far as I know there is no evidence of arthropod participation in HIV transmission. I may recommend a short commentary on the subject by J. Goddard in his book "Physician's Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance", 2003, CRC Press, p. 251.
All the best.
I agree there is not current evidence of that; however few people have hypothesized that several weird situations may be able it to happen mechanically
This is very intriguing research subject. A nano unit blood is bearing CD
I recall that long ago, this was investigated in respect of bed bugs. The conclusion as regards those particular experiments was "No". However, perhaps one should keep an open mind as regards the possibility of mechanical transmission by arthropods in unusual situations.
There is no indication they biologically transmit the virus. No molecular or immunological studies found any virus binding sites in the midgut for example of mosquitoes.
Insects are really not very good vectors of almost any virus (with a few exceptions). The shear number of viruses out there is astronomical and insects are not shown or even implicated in most. The only exception are the arboviruses and to be truthful if you look at the biology of these viruses you will find that even susceptible vectors are really not that good at transmitting most of them. The viruses end up getting blocked by midgut or salivary gland barriers or there just are not enough in a blood meal to even infect a vector.
Much thanks to you all for your constructive comments which is generating knowledge about mechanical transmission of HIV. With regard to Dr. Reeves' comment on mechanical transmission of viruses by insects, it is true that some insects act as vectors for viruses other than HIV. It is also interesting to find that mosquitoes, although do not transmit HIV, but they may possibly act as vectors for Ebola virus (Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti, since it requires only a few Ebola viruses (1 virus is enough) to infect a healthy individual, compared to HIV infection which requires a significant viral load to infect healthy individuals.
Thanks to Dr. Uspensky, Markus, Eduardo, Ramakrishnan, and Christophe for all your comments.
I was able to find this book titled ""Physician's Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance"," referred by Dr. Uspensky which is an excellent guide to study arthropod born diseases and vector transmission.
I also found this article on mechanical transmission of Ebola which seems interesting:
http://www.austincc.edu/microbio/2993p/ev.htm
I agree with Dr. Rogozi. While it would be interesting to see that insects transmit Ebola virus or any filovirus there just is not good epidemiological evidence that it is relevant.
No, there is no any evidence of HIV transmission by arthropods. Please take a look at the following PDF attachment.
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