Journal of Medical Entomology (2019) 56, 1116-1121
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Development and field evaluation of a system to collect mosquito excreta for the detection of arboviruses
Journal of Medical Entomology 56 (4), 1116-1121
Abstract: Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public health concern globally and early detection of pathogens is critical to implement vector management and control strategies. Existing methods for pathogen detection include screening sentinel animals for antibodies and analyzing mosquitoes for pathogen presence. While these methods are effective, they are also expensive, labor-intense, and logistically challenging. To address these limitations, a new method was developed whereby mosquito saliva is collected on honey-coated nucleic acid preservation cards which are analyzed by molecular assays for detection of pathogens. However, mosquitoes only expel small amounts of saliva when feeding on these cards, potentially leading to false negatives. Another bodily fluid that is expelled by mosquitoes in larger volumes than saliva is excreta, and recent laboratory experiments have demonstrated that a range of mosquito-borne pathogens can be detected in mosquito excreta. In the current study, we have modified light and passive mosquito traps to collect their excreta and assessed their efficacy in field evaluations. From these field-collections, we detected West Nile, Ross River, and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses. Our findings suggest that mosquito traps are easily modified to collect excreta and, that this system has the potential to enhance detection of pathogens.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Scott A. Ritchie
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
general biology - morphology - evolution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant. |
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