Dipsticks for rapid detection of Plasmodium in vectoring Anopheles mosquitoes

Malaria remains the most serious vector-borne disease, affecting some 300-5 00 million people annually, transmitted by many species of Anopheles mosqui toes (Diptera: Culicidae). Monoclonal antibodies developed against specific circumsporozoite (CS) proteins of the main malaria parasites Plasmodium fa lciparum and P. vivax have been used previously for enzyme-linked immunosor bent assays (ELISA), widely employed for detection of malaria sporozoites i n vector Anopheles for local risk assessment, epidemiological studies and t argeting vector control. However, ELISA procedures are relatively slow and impractical for field use. To circumvent this, we developed rapid wicking a ssays that identify the presence or absence of specific peptide epitopes of CS protein of the most important P. falciparum and two strains (variants 2 10 and 247) of the more widespread P. vivax. The resulting assay is a rapid , one-step procedure using a 'dipstick' wicking test strip. In laboratory a ssessment, dipsticks identified 1 ng/mL of any of these three CS protein an tigens, with sensitivity nearly equal to the CS standard ELISA. We have dev eloped and are evaluating a combined panel assay that will be both qualitat ive and quantitative. This quick and easy dipstick test (VecTest(TM) Malari a) offers practical advantages for field workers needing to make rapid surv eys of malaria vectors.