ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY FOR THE DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF DENGUE VIRUSES FROM INFECTED MOSQUITOS

Abstract

A double sandwich enzyme immunoassay for the detection and identification of dengue viruses 1, 2 and 4 was developed. Ground glass beads (7 mm diameter) coated with human heterospecific antidengue antibodies were bound to viruses obtained from infected mosquitoes (Toxorhynchites amboinensis). The mouse antibodies bound to the viruses coated on the beads were revealed by anti-mouse 7S immunoglobulins labeled with peroxidase. The method was practical, sensitive and reliable. The standard curves obtained with each type showed significant differences from one another until very high dilutions of the viral suspension. Inhibition tests by human immune antibodies and dengue antigens demonstrated the specificity of the reaction. This method is applicable to other arboviruses and allows a large-scale epidemiological survey.