ELISA as an alternative tool for epidemiological surveillance for dengue in mosquitoes: a report from Thailand.
OBJECTIVE
Dengue fever (DF), dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) are the re-emerging infectious diseases caused by the four serotypes of dengue (DEN) virus, type 1 to 4, belonging to the family Flaviviridae and genus Flavivirus. In the absence of a safe and effective mass immunisation, the prevention and control of dengue outbreaks depend upon the surveillance of cases and mosquito vector. The aim of this work is to test enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tool for the virological surveillance of dengue.


METHODS
Virus-infected Aedes mosquitoes were collected from the field in order to serve as an early warning monitoring tool for dengue outbreaks. In a prospective field study conducted from April to September 2000, female adult Aedes mosquitoes were caught from selected dengue-sensitive area in Chombung district, Ratchaburi province and assayed by ELISA.


RESULTS
Approximately 18.3% were found positive for dengue virus.


CONCLUSIONS
This can imply that ELISA can be an alternative tool for epidemiological surveillance for dengue in mosquitoes.
Srisuphanunt
Mayuna
M
Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Sithiprasasna
Ratana
R
Patpoparn
Somboon
S
Attatippaholkun
Watcharee
W
Wiwanitkit
Viroj
V
D000330:Aedes / Q000821:virology*; D000818:Animals; D003715:Dengue / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology*; D011156:Population Density; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology