Stimulation of dengue virus replication in cultured Aedes albopictus (C6/36) mosquito cells by the antifungal imidazoles ketoconazole and miconazole

Abstract

Replication of dengue type 3 virus in Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells was enhanced more than 50-fold by addition of the antifungal imidazole derivative ketoconazole within the first 4 h of infection. The stimulatory effect was reflected in the yield of infectious virus and in levels of viral RNA and protein synthesis. Enhanced yields were observed also for other flaviviruses, including dengue type 2 virus and Murray Valley encephalitis virus. Increased yields of dengue type 3 virus were not observed in African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells, human monocytic (U-937) cells, or cells of the mosquito Toxorhynchites amboinensis (TRA-171). (C) 2000 Academic Press.