Thin section electron microscopy of the salivary gland of an infected mosquito.

St. Louis encephalitis virus in the salivary gland of a Culex pipiens mosquito 26 days after infection. Massive amounts of virus, some in paracrystalline array, may be seen within the salivary space - transmission to the next vertebrate host occurs when the mosquito injects its saliva (which contains anticoagulants) when taking a blood meal. Magnification approximately x30,000.

Micrograph from F. A. Murphy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.

Download TIF for Image 1

Download TIF for Image 2