Pathophysiological effects of a DNA virus infection on the host tsetse fly glossina morsitans centralis (Diptera: Glossinidae)

Abstract

Pathology of the Tsetse DNA virus and the effects of the infection on the physiology of the fly were studied in Glossina m. centralis flies artificially inoculated with the virus homogenate during the third instar larval stage. The virus was shown to be infective to Glossina m. centralis with 100% infection being achieved on all treated flies. Individual variation in the level of salivary gland pathology in experimentally infected flies was noted and categorised into levels 1 to 4 (depicting the least to the most severe salivary gland lesion). Virus particles were only seen in levels 3 and 4.