Susceptibility of the Bombyx mori cardia cells to Nucleopolyhedrovirus, multiple subgroup, BmMNPV.

Bombyx mori entomopathogenic virus infection is a serious problem for silk production in tropical regions. Here, we investigate the susceptibility of the B. mori cardia epithelial cells to B. mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus, BmMNPV. Results show that cardia cells are susceptible to BmMNPV and that the cytopathology is similar to that in other target cells. The infection was detected at 6 day post-inoculation. This infection time, together with the protected cover intima, suggests that the cardia region is a secondary target, infected by budded virus.