L.A. Dourado, L.F.C. Ribeiro, R.M.C. Brancalhão, J. Tavares, A.R. Borges, M.A. Fernandez
Published: February 22, 2011
Genet. Mol. Res. 10(1): 335-339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/vol10-1gmr996

Cite this Article:
L.A. Dourado, L.F.C. Ribeiro, R.M.C. Brancalhão, J. Tavares, A.R. Borges, M.A. Fernandez (2011). Silkworm salivary glands are not susceptible to Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Genet. Mol. Res. 10(1): 335-339. https://doi.org/10.4238/vol10-1gmr996

About the Authors
L.A. Dourado, L.F.C. Ribeiro, R.M.C. Brancalhão, J. Tavares, A.R. Borges, M.A. Fernandez
Corresponding Author: M.A. Fernandez
Email: aparecidafernandez@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

A nuclear polyhedrosis virus isolated from infected Bombyx mori, BmNPV, was used to inoculate silkworms to determine salivary gland cell susceptibility. The salivary gland was removed from infected silkworms at different times post-inoculation and examined by light microscopy. The salivary gland cells did not exhibit any signs of BmNPV infection; however, fat body and tracheal cells, used as positive controls, showed characteristic cytopathological changes caused by BmNPV infection, which confirmed inoculum viability. The morphological distribution of tracheal branches and the basal lamina, which serves as a barrier to viral penetration, are apparently involved in this resistance to infection.

Key words: Mulberry silkworm, Baculoviridae, Tracheal system, Mandibular salivary glands, Fat body.