Chicken eggs as a surveillance tool for malaria and leishmaniasis vector presence

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2019 May 16:52:e20180415. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0415-2018.

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria and leishmaniases are transmitted by vectors during blood-feeding. Vector-infected animals develop antibodies against the vector's saliva. This study evaluated IgY antibody detection in the chicken eggs exposed to bites from Migonemyia migonei, Lutzomyia longipalpis and Anopheles aquasalis.

Methods: We used ELISA to quantify the antibody levels in the sera and exposed chicken eggs.

Results: High IgY levels were observed following immunization; furthermore, higher reactivity was observed in the eggs and species-specific immune response was observed post final immunization.

Conclusions: Chicken eggs can be used as sentinels to surveil vector saliva antibodies.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anopheles / immunology*
  • Chickens / parasitology*
  • Eggs / parasitology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Immunoglobulins / analysis*
  • Insect Vectors / immunology*
  • Leishmaniasis / transmission
  • Malaria / transmission
  • Psychodidae / immunology*
  • Saliva / immunology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • IgY
  • Immunoglobulins