Objective:
The objective of this agreement is to investigate the pathogenesis of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in livestock infected through insect bite and to better understand the ecology and epidemiology of this virus in natural transmission cycles.

Approach:
The cooperator has expertise in black fly biology (Simulium vittatum) and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) vector transmission, has developed a series of methodologies to evaluate insect transmission to livestock species, as well as insect-to-insect virus tansmission in various laboratory and livestock species. The University of Georgia (UGA) has an established colony of black flies and can provide them for pathogenesis studies at PIADC. ARS-PIADC has developed a cattle model to study VSV pathogenesis that allows tracking viral infection and host response in-vivo using RT-PCR, microarrays, in-situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. We will combine UGA's vector biology with ARS-PIADC's pathogenesis expertise to better undertand natural cycle of VSV infections.