Rapid Detection of Arthropod-borne Pathogens in Mosquitoes

This project will produce rapid "dip stick" test for mosquito-borne pathogens causing Malaria and Dengue fever. The tests will use irmmunochromatographic technology similar to that used for our companies existing tests for Cholera and HIV 1 &2. The following tasks will be completed: Polyclonal antisera will be purified into IgG fractions. Immunoglobulins will be immobilized on porous membranes and incorporated into an immunochromatographic format. Screening and selection of monoclonal antibodies will be performed using the immunochromato graphic strips and colloidal gold labeled anti mouse IgO Pc as detector of reaction. The selected best monoclonal antibody will be used to determine pH and concentration isotherms for gold labeling. Colloidal gold labeled monoclonal antibodies will be incorporated into the best suited polyclonal test strips and a pilot scale production of 1000 strips each for detectio of Malaria and Dengue fever will be accomplished. The development of a rapid, simple tests to detect both Malaria and Dengue pathogens in mosquitoes will have a major positive impact on control of the diseases in both military and civilian populations. The existing FLISA tests are relatively slow (4-6 hours) and require laboratory facilities and personnel that are not available in forward military positions or in remote areas of developing countries. Timely detection of arthropod borne diseases will permit military planners to take appropriate precautions before large numbers of troops are deployed to an area harboring either Malaria or Dengue fever. The rapid test would also be of immense value to public health officials throughout developing countries. In addition to providing test strips for the army, these tests will be useful to public health officials throughout the world wherever Malaria and Dengue fever must be controlled.