Isolation of genotype I Japanese encephalitis virus in Beiliu, Guangxi

Objective To isolate Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in Beiliu, Guangxi, one surveillance site for Japanese encephalitis, and analyze the genotype of the JEV. Methods Mosquitoes were collected in Beiliu and used to isolate arboviruses on C6/36 and BHK-21 cells. Virus isolates were identified with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by antibodies against some arboviruses. E gene of JEV was amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Genotype of JEV could be analyzed according to above sequences. Results A total of 2,588 Culex tritaeniorhynchus and 230 Armigeres obturbans were collected in Beiliu. These mosquitoes were divided into 61 groups for arboviruses isolation. Three virus isolates were derived and identified as possible JEVs by ELISA. Analysis of nucleotide sequences indicated that the isolates were genotype I JEV. Conclusion genotype I JEV was isolated from the mosquitoes collected in Guangxi.