VIRUSES FROM BEDBUGS

Bedbugs are obligate hematophagus insects associated with socially deprived human habitation. In the knowledge that small amounts of blood passed from one individual to another can transmit the causative virus of AIDS the possibility arises that bedbugs could act as mechanical vectors. While examining the transmission of bat trypanosomes by the bedbug and the bat bug, large numbers of particles, which appeared to have the morphology of viruses, were seen in the epithelial cells of the ventriculus of the bedbug. Repeated feeding during the bedbug nymphal and adult stages in socially deprived domestic environments would suggest that this insect could transmit the bunyaviruses and reoviruses normally transmitted by other biting insects-this has been extensively examined. The virus particles were identified in numerous cytoplasmic arrays. Virus particles were purified by differential centrifugation and sucrose gradient separation. The morphology of the purified virions, however, is not similar to that of rotaviruses, and there are no known arthropod vectors of rotaviruses.