Dot-immunoblot assay an important immunological tool for detection of vectorial capabilities in naturally infected Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Ragini Mishra*, Kundan Lal and P. Nath
Vector Bio Lab, Department of Zoology, B.N. College, Patna University, Patna.

Received 12th May 2007 ; Revised 28th July 2007.

Abstract : The dot-immunoblot assay has been found very effective in detecting leishmanial antigen in the gut of Phlebotomus argentipes which were found naturally infected with Leishmania donovani. This test was found sensitive to as little as 10 mg of antigenic protein and also appeared to be very specific in that sense that it have shown a positive result with some P. argentipes only which have been recorded as the single vector for L. donovani and not with other sandfly species. The simplicity, high sensitivity and high specificity of this particular assay should make it useful for study of vectorial capabilities in mass scale. When used to investigate a large number of sandflies collected from the various endemic areas of Bihar, this assay appeared sufficiently sensitive and specific to detect the naturally infected sandflies. All over this dot-immunoblot assay have been proved very useful for intensified control programmes also.