Detection of dengue virus antigens in desiccated mosquitoes: an improved tool for surveillance

We developed a surveillance tool to monitor dengue virus (DENV) infection in vector mosquitoes using a dengue antigen-capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) on desiccated specimens stored at room temperature (RT). We tested the effect of storage on the stability of DEN1, DEN2, DEN3 and DEN4 antigens. Although desiccated infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes stored between 31 and 34 degreesC (RT) showed greater reactivity in the EIA than those store at -80 degreesC, a significant difference between the two was observed only with DEN2. Storage between 31 and 34 degreesC for up to 4 weeks (the longest period tested) did not affect the reactivity in the EIA, indicating the stability of DENV antigens.