Replication of dengue-2 virus in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. An electron microscopic study.

Sequential electronmicroscopic studies of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes infected with dengue-2 virus showed replication of virus particles and vesicular structures confined to cells having an active, rough, endoplasmic reticulum. Small granules not found on the surface of virions produced in mammalian cells were seen on the envelopes of the virus particles. There was no evidence of nuclear involvement as described in infected mouse neurones, and there was no apparent impairment of cellular function. Substantial viral replication was confined to cells of the salivary glands and nervous tissue, with lesser involvement of midgut, hemocytes, epidermal cells, fatbody, and foregut.