Tennessee Valley Authority, Procurement, 1101 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402

B -- ANALYZE ADULT MOSQUITOES FROM WATER BODIES FOR ENCEPHALITIS VIRUSES SOL RE4-233022 DUE 041798 POC Regina Miller, EB 5A-C, (423) 751-2058 (phone) (423) 751-4948 (fax) The project objective is to collect adult mosquitoes from water bodies operated by TVA and to analyze them for encephalitis viruses. Specific goals are to: (1) adapt published polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for use in routine surveillance for arboviruses in mosquito vectors; (2) develop new reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR methods for detection of the major arboviral infections found in the Tennessee Valley to increase lab efficiency; and (3) develop and apply methods capable of tracking the source and spread of viral outbreaks if and when viruses are detected in vector populations. Samples of adult mosquitoes from TVA watersheds will be collected weekly by TVA. Approximately 672 samples of adult mosquitoes will be collected and pooled to genus by TVA in 1998 over a 24-week period. A maximum of 2,400 pools formed from these samples will be sent by TVA for the following to be performed: Task 1 -- Initiate PCR assay procedures on the mosquito samples the day of receipt to determine whether arboviruses are present. Characterization of any viruses present in the samples will be completed within 72 hours of receipt of the samples, and reported within this timeframe to TVA's Mosquito Management Team. Quality control protocols for these tests will be reported to TVA on a weekly basis. Task 2 -- Attempt to develop new RT-PCR based methods for detecting arboviruses found in the Tennessee Valley. Results will be reported to TVA on a monthly basis or as progress on the new methods is achieved, whichever is sooner. Task 3 -- Develop and apply methods capable of tracking the source and spread of particular arboviruses in the Tennessee Valley. Results will be reported to TVA on a monthly basis or as progress on the new methods is achieved, whichever is sooner. (0092)

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