Diaphorina citri flavi-like virus localization, transmission, and association with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in its psyllid host

Virology. 2021 Dec 27;567:47-56. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.12.009. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTHuanglongbing is caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) and transmitted by Diaphorina citri. D. citri harbors various insect-specific viruses, including the Diaphorina citri flavi-like virus (DcFLV). The distribution and biological role of DcFLV in its host and the relationship with CLas are unknown. DcFLV was found in various organs of D. citri, including the midgut and salivary glands, where it co-localized with CLas. CLas-infected nymphs had the highest DcFLV titers compared to the infected adults and CLas-free adults and nymphs. DcFLV was vertically transmitted to offspring from female D. citri and was temporarily detected in Citrus macrophylla and grapefruit leaves from greenhouse and field. The incidences of DcFLV and CLas were positively correlated in field-collected D. citri samples, suggesting that DcFLV might be associated with CLas in the vector. These results provide new insights on the interactions between DcFLV, the D. citri, and CLas.PMID:34998225 | DOI:10.1016/j.virol.2021.12.009

Source: Virology - January 8, 2022 Category: Virology Authors: Mahnaz Rashidi Chun-Yi Lin Kellee Britt Ozgur Batuman Maher Al Rwahnih Diann Achor Amit Levy Source Type: research