Autor(es): Chow, V. T. K.; Chan, Y. C.; Yong, R.; Lee, K M; Lim, L K; Chung, Y K; Lam-Phua, S G; Tan, B T

Resumo: Virologic surveillance for dengue through the detection of the prevalent serotype(s) circulating in the human population during inter- and intra-epidemic periods constitutes a reliable sentinel system for dengue outbreaks. We have applied a rapid and sensitive, semi-nested, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay using nonstructural protein 3 gene primers for the type-specific-detection of dengue viruses in artificially infected and in field-caught adult Aedes mosquitoes. In laboratory experiments, the assay was sensitive enough to detect one virus-infected mosquito head in pools of up to 59 uninfected heads. In a prospective field study conducted from April 1995 to July 1996, female adult Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes were caught from selected dengue-sensitive areas in Singapore and assayed by RT-PCR. Approximately 20% of 309 mosquito pools were positive for dengue viruses. Of the 23 RT-PCR-positive Ae. aegypti pools (containing 1-17 mosquitoes each), 18 pools (78.3%) were positive for dengue 1 virus. There were 40 RT-PCR-positive Ae.

Palavras-Chave: Biological vectors; Human diseases; Epidemiology; Viral diseases; Disease control; Vectors; Polymerase chain reaction; Disease transmission; Dengue; Reverse transcription; Dengue virus 1; Aedes aegypti; Aedes; Culicidae; Aedes albopictus; Freshwater

Imprenta: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, v. 58, n. 5, p. 578-586, 1998.

Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Proteins ; Aedes aegypti - PCR detection ; Aedes aegypti - RT-PCR ; Aedes aegypti - Virus ; Aedes aegypti - Transmission ; Aedes aegypti - Dengue ; Aedes aegypti - Epidemic ; Aedes aegypti - Epidemiology

Data de Publicação: 1998