title: Evaluation of the human IgG antibody response to Aedes albopictus saliva as a new specific biomarker of exposure to vector bites.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The spread of Aedes albopictus, a vector for re-emergent arbovirus diseases like chikungunya and dengue, points up the need for better control strategies and new tools to evaluate transmission risk. Human antibody (Ab) responses to mosquito salivary proteins could represent a reliable biomarker for evaluating human-vector contact and the efficacy of control programs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We used ELISA tests to evaluate specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to salivary gland extracts (SGE) in adults exposed to Aedes albopictus in Reunion Island. The percentage of immune responders (88%) and levels of anti-SGE IgG Abs were high in exposed individuals. At an individual level, our results indicate heterogeneity of the exposure to Aedes albopictus bites. In addition, low-level immune cross-reactivity between Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti SGEs was observed, mainly in the highest responders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ab responses to saliva could be used as an immuno-epidemiological tool for evaluating exposure to Aedes albopictus bites. Combined with entomological and epidemiological methods, a "salivary" biomarker of exposure to Aedes albopictus could enhance surveillance of its spread and the risk of arbovirus transmission, and could be used as a direct tool for the evaluation of Aedes albopictus control strategies.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, UMR 224 CNRS/IRD/UM1, Montpellier, France. souleymane.doucoure@ird.fr
authors.forename: Souleymane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doucoure
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mouchet
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cornelie
authors.forename: Jean Sébastien
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: DeHecq
authors.forename: Abdul Hamid
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Rutee
authors.forename: Yelin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Roca
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Jean Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hervé
authors.forename: Dorothée
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Misse
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Favier
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gasque
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Remoue
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000330:Aedes / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017508:Reunion; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides