ELISA as an alternative tool for epidemiological surveillance for dengue in mosquitoes: a report from Thailand.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Dengue fever (DF), dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) are the re-emerging infectious diseases caused by the four serotypes of dengue (DEN) virus, type 1 to 4, belonging to the family Flaviviridae and genus Flavivirus. In the absence of a safe and effective mass immunisation, the prevention and control of dengue outbreaks depend upon the surveillance of cases and mosquito vector. The aim of this work is to test enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tool for the virological surveillance of dengue. METHODS: Virus-infected Aedes mosquitoes were collected from the field in order to serve as an early warning monitoring tool for dengue outbreaks. In a prospective field study conducted from April to September 2000, female adult Aedes mosquitoes were caught from selected dengue-sensitive area in Chombung district, Ratchaburi province and assayed by ELISA. RESULT: Approximately 18.3% were found positive for dengue virus. CONCLUSION: This can imply that ELISA can be an alternative tool for epidemiological surveillance for dengue in mosquitoes.