SHORT COMMUNICATION - Comparison between Precipitin and ELISA Tests in the Bloodmeal Detection of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedes fluviatilis (Lutz) Mosquitoes Experimentally Fed on Feline, Canine and Human Hosts

The identification of arthropod bloodmeals is important in many epidemiological studies, as, the understanding of the life cycle of vectors and the patogens they transmit, as well as helping to define arthropods' control strategies. The precipitin test has been used for decades, but ELISA is sl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 2001-12, Vol.96 (5)
Main Authors: Luciana AM Gomes, Rosemere Duarte, Dinair C Lima, Beatriz Sanson Diniz, Maria Lucia Serrão, Norma Labarthe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
bloodmeal identification, mosquito, ELISA, canine blood, feline blood, human blood
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Summary:The identification of arthropod bloodmeals is important in many epidemiological studies, as, the understanding of the life cycle of vectors and the patogens they transmit, as well as helping to define arthropods' control strategies. The precipitin test has been used for decades, but ELISA is slowly becoming more popular. To compare the two tests for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy to detect small insect bloodmeals, Aedes aegypti or Ae. fluviatilis mosquitoes were fed either on feline, canine or human hosts. Mosquitoes were frozen at 6, 12, 24, 48 or 72 h after feeding. Precipitin test showed better specificity and accuracy and ELISA test showed higher sensitivity. Better results with both tests were achieved when mosquitoes were frozen within 48 h from feeding.
ISSN:1678-8060