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Determining the prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus infection in vector populations by polymerase chain reaction screening of pools of black flies.

Authors :
Katholi CR
Toé L
Merriweather A
Unnasch TR
Source :
The Journal of infectious diseases [J Infect Dis] 1995 Nov; Vol. 172 (5), pp. 1414-7.
Publication Year :
1995

Abstract

An important variable in the epidemiology of arthropodborne diseases is the intensity of transmission, which is a function of host-vector contact and the prevalence of infection in the vector population. This latter value is often difficult to estimate. It is possible to envision the application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to this problem. To accomplish this, the assay must detect a single infected vector in a pool containing a large number of uninfected individuals. It must also be possible to calculate the prevalence of infection from the number of positive pools. A PCR assay for detecting Onchocerca volvulus in pools of vector black flies is described, and an algorithm is presented to calculate the prevalence of infection in the vector population, based upon the proportion of PCR-positive pools. This algorithm should be applicable to any disease for which a PCR assay is available.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0022-1899
Volume :
172
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The Journal of infectious diseases
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
7594692
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/172.5.1414