Detection of zika virus in desiccated mosquitoes by real-time reverse transcription PCR and plaque assay

Abstract

We assayed Zika virus–infected mosquitoes stored at room temperature for ≤30 days for live virus by using plaque as­say and virus RNA by using real-time reverse transcription PCR. Viable virus was detected in samples stored ≤10 days, and virus RNA was detected in samples held for 30 days.