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Poster Session

Poster Session

Poster Session

P15 - Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Rapid Diagnostic Tool for Assessing La Crosse Virus Vector Age and Infection Status

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM PDT
Location: Hall A
Abstract: Accurate risk assessment of mosquito-borne diseases requires the incorporation of species-specific factors, including age, gonotrophic status, and infection status, into analytical models. Current methods for assessing mosquitoes rely on a trained entomologist for species identification, molecular tools (e.g., RT-qPCR) for virus detection, and a skilled technician for parity dissections. Collectively, these approaches can take hours to complete and require multiple highly skilled personnel. Furthermore, molecular approaches depend on consumable reagents, and parity dissections are seldom used in mosquito control programs because they are labor-intensive.

Here, we describe the development of an analytical approach that assesses the gonotrophic status and chronological age of La Crosse virus (LACV) vectors (Aedes triseriatus, Aedes albopictus, and Aedes japonicus), as well as LACV infection in Ae. triseriatus, using mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) combined with chemometric modeling. The advantages of the MIRS/chemometric approach include the use of a single durable tool, the elimination of consumable molecular reagents, and rapid (< 2 min) data acquisition and analysis. Collectively, this method is referred to as the MIDAS (Mosquito Infrared Diagnostic and Assessment System) approach.