Research Interests / Areas of Expertise:
Dr. Blitvich specializes in arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) and their mosquito vectors. His primary research focus is to define the vector, host and viral determinants of the epidemic potential of West Nile virus in Mexico. He is also interested in characterizing the genetic basis of apoptotic regulation in mosquito vectors.

Teaching:
Molecular Virology - VMPM 608

Platt KB, Tucker BJ, Halbur PG, Tiawsirisup S, Blitvich BJ, Fabiosa FG, Bartholomay LC, Rowley WA. The Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) develops West Nile virus viremias sufficient for infecting select mosquito species. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 (In press).

Beck ET, Blair CD, Black WC, Beaty BJ, Blitvich BJ. Alternative splicing generates multiple transcripts of the Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein 1 in Aedes and Culex sp. mosquitoes. Insect Mol Biol. 2007 (In press).

Sondgeroth K, Blitvich BJ, Blair CD, Terwee J, Junge R, Sauther M, VandeWoude S. Assessing Flavivirus, Lentivirus, and Herpesvirus Exposure in Wild Lemur catta in Southwestern Madagascar. J. Wildlife Dis. 2007. 43(1):40-7.

Li Q, Li H, Blitvich BJ, Zhang J. The Aedes albopictus inhibitor of Apoptosis 1 gene protects vertebrate cells from bluetongue virus-induced apoptosis. Insect Mol Biol. 2007. 16(1):93-105.

Clark DC, Lobigs M, Lee E, Howard MJ, Clark K, Blitvich BJ, Hall RA.. In situ reactions of monoclonal antibodies with a viable mutant of Murray Valley encephalitis virus reveal an absence of dimeric NS1 protein. J Gen Virol. 2007. 88(4):1175-83.

Elizondo-Quiroga A, Flores-Suarez A, Elizondo-Quiroga D, Ponce-Garcia G, Blitvich BJ, Contreras-Cordero, Jose Ignacio Gonzalez-Rojas JF, Mercado-Hernandez R, Beaty BJ, Fernandez-Salas I. Host-feeding preference of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Monterrey, northeastern Mexico. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2006. 22(4): 654-61.

Lefrancois T, Blitvich BJ, Pradel J, Molia S, Vachiery N, Martinez D. West Nile virus in Guadeloupe: introduction, spread, and decrease in circulation level: 2002-2005. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006. 1081:206-215.

Morales-Betoulle ME, Morales H, Blitvich BJ, Powers AM, Davis EA, Klein R, Cordon-Rosales C. West Nile virus in horses, Guatemala. Emerg Infect Dis. 2006 12(6):1038-1039.

Farfán-Ale JA, Blitvich BJ, Marlenee NL, Loroño-Pino MA, Puerto-Manzano F, García-Rejón JE, Rosado-Paredes EP, Flores-Flores LF, Carlos-Cremieux J, Correa-Morales F, Hernandez-Gaona G, Méndez-Galván JF, Ortega-Salazar A, Chávez-Medina J, Beaty BJ. Antibodies to West Nile virus in asymptomatic mammals, birds and reptiles in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006. 74(5):908-914.

Elizondo-Quiroga A, Fernandez-Salas I, Flores-Suarez A, Elizondo-Quiroga D, Blitvich BJ, Contreras-Cordero JF, Gonzalez-Rojas JI, Mercado-Hernandez R, Beaty BJ. Gonotrophic cycle and survivorship of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) using sticky ovitraps in Monterrey, northeastern Mexico. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2006. 22(1):10-14.


Honors & Awards:
Graduated with First Class Honors in Microbiology, University of Western Australia, 1991
Selection to the “Biology of Disease Vectors” Course, Colorado State University, 2000.

Memberships:
The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Society of Virology


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