Detection of Chikungunya Virus IGM Antibodies in Human Serum Samples Using Virus Infected Aedes Aegypti Mosquito Head Squashes

A technique for rapid detection of chikungunya virus IgM antibodies in human serum samples using infected Ae- des aegypti mosquito head squashes as immobilized antigen, was developed. Its sensitivity and efficacy was evalu- ated with two other methods i.e. MAC-ELISA and C6/36 cells. Results showed sensitivity at par with that of C6/36 cells and MAC-ELISA. However, weak positives of MAC-ELISA could not be detected either in the new technique or in C6/36 cells. The technique is simple, rapid and reliable and can be useful in preliminary screening of samples at outbreak areas where ELISA set up is not available. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a member of the genus Alphavi- rus, family Togaviridae is transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes and is of considerable public health importance in Africa and South East Asia ( Jupp & McIntosh, 1988; Powers & Logue 2007). The viral infection is generally self-limiting and is characterized by sudden onset of fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, myalgia, rash and arthralgia. CHIKV has made an explosive resurgence in 2005-06 in the Indian sub-continent after a gap of 32 years, affecting more than 13 lakh people across the country with a few CHIKV associated deaths (Chandak et al, 2011; Sudeep et al 2011). However, the recent epidemic has been characteris- tic as it flared up quickly over a large geographical area cover - ing 25 states/union territories (NVBDCP 2014). The sufferings of the patients were enormous as arthralgia persisted for pro- longed periods. Many other clinical complications that are not associated with CHIKV infections earlier were also seen during the recent outbreak 3,5 (Chandak et al 2011; Tsetsarkin & Weaver