Laboratory assessment of a species-specific radioimmunoassay for the detection of malaria sporozoites in mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae).

Abstract

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) using monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) specific for the dominant surface antigens of malaria sporozoites was used to evaluate various factors that might influence the use of this or similar tests for epidemiological studies. Mabs specific for sporozoites of 2 simian malaria organisms, Plasmodium knowlesi and P. cynomolgi, were used to determine the time of antigen appearance and persistence in mosquitoes, conditions under which infected mosquitoes can be stored prior to processing, and methods for detecting infected mosquitoes in pools or for identifying pools including mosquitoes carrying more than 1 species of malaria.