Measurement of recent exposure to Phlebotomus argentipes, the vector of Indian visceral Leishmaniasis, by using human antibody responses to sand fly saliva.
Antibody (IgG) responses to the saliva of Phlebotomus argentipes were investigated using serum samples from regions of India endemic and non-endemic for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). By pre-adsorbing the sera against the saliva of the competing human-biting but non-VL vector P. papatasi, we significantly improved the specificity of a P. argentipes saliva enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Using this method, we observed a statistically significant correlation between antibodies to P. argenitpes saliva and the average indoor density of female sand flies. Additionally, the method was able to detect recent changes in vector exposure when sera from VL patients were assayed before, during, and after hospitalization and protected from sand fly bites under untreated bed nets. Collectively, these results highlight the utility of antibodies to P. argentipes saliva as an important tool to evaluate VL vector control programs.
Clements
Meredith F
MF
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
Gidwani
Kamlesh
K
Kumar
Rajiv
R
Hostomska
Jitka
J
Dinesh
Diwakar S
DS
Kumar
Vijay
V
Das
Pradeep
P
Müller
Ingrid
I
Hamilton
Gordon
G
Volfova
Vera
V
Boelaert
Marleen
M
Das
Murari
M
Rijal
Suman
S
Picado
Albert
A
Volf
Petr
P
Sundar
Shyam
S
Davies
Clive R
CR
Rogers
Matthew E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000276:immunology*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000635:transmission*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000276:immunology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D007074:Immunoglobulin G