Immunogenic salivary proteins of Triatoma infestans: development of a recombinant antigen for the detection of low-level infestation of triatomines.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Triatomines are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease in Latin America. The most effective vector, Triatoma infestans, has been controlled successfully in much of Latin America using insecticide spraying. Though rarely undertaken, surveillance programs are necessary in order to identify new infestations and estimate the intensity of triatomine bug infestations in domestic and peridomestic habitats. Since hosts exposed to triatomines develop immune responses to salivary antigens, these responses can be evaluated for their usefulness as epidemiological markers to detect infestations of T. infestans.

Methodology/principal findings

T. infestans salivary proteins were separated by 2D-gel electrophoresis and tested for their immunogenicit

SUBMITTER: Schwarz A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2760138 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature