Arthropod-borne Animal Diseases Research Laboratory, USDA, ARS, P.O. Box 3965, University Station, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA
Vesicular stomatitis (VS) epizootics in the Western United States
have caused substantial economic losses to U.S. livestock industries
in 1995, 1997, and 1998. The role of arthropods in transmitting
VS to U.S. livestock is unclear. In particular, the impact of
arthropod salivary gland factors in VS infections in livestock
needs study. Pharmacological effects of arthropod salivary gland
factors on animals are reviewed. The potential effects of arthropod
saliva on the transmission and spread of VS virus to livestock
in the Western U.S. is presented with emphasis on the biting
midge,
Culicoides sonorensis. Information is discussed with
attention to vector potential of
C. sonorensis, and its use
as a model for evaluating insect salivary gland pharmacology
on livestock response to VS.
