One-Step Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Detection of Major Disease-Transmitting Mosquito Vectors in India

Mintu Karan Cellular Immunology and Vector Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, India;

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Sharmistha Paul Cellular Immunology and Vector Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, India;

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Supriya Nath Cellular Immunology and Vector Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, India;

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Bedanta Das Cellular Immunology and Vector Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, India;

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Sanhita Ghosh Cellular Immunology and Vector Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, India;

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Suman Karmakar Cellular Immunology and Vector Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, India;

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Pritam Mandal Cellular Immunology and Vector Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, India;

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Biplab Bhowmik Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women´s University, Diamond Harbour, India;

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Piyoosh Kumar Singh Field Unit, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Ranchi, India;

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Rajnikant Dixit ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, India

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Chiranjib Pal Cellular Immunology and Vector Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, India;

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ABSTRACT.

Mosquitoes are important vectors that transmit viral, protozoan, and helminthic diseases across the world. Climate change and unplanned urbanization are accelerating the spread of these diseases. Controlling vector-borne diseases can be performed most effectively through vector control. Inadequate knowledge of vector bionomics is an impediment and can lead to inappropriate vector control efforts. However, the conventional methods of vector identification are based on morphological differences, demand a significant amount of time and specific skills, and are often misleading. An efficient and affordable solution is needed to quickly and accurately identify pooled samples from vast geographical territories. To ensure the correct identification of distorted or pooled samples in India, a set of definitive steps is required, including the construction of unique primers and the standardization of a one-step assay based on the second internal transcribed spacer gene of the ribosomal DNA. We have successfully developed and confirmed a highly efficient one-step multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for the accurate identification of major mosquito vectors, especially in the cases of both the adult and larval forms of Anopheles sp., Aedes sp., and Culex sp. Hence, the specificity, universality, and uniqueness of these primers could serve as a critical tool for the rapid one-step and one-reaction identification of mosquitoes to control mosquito-borne disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.

Author Notes

Financial support: This research was supported by Department of Science and Technology, Science and Engineering Research Board (DST-SERB), Govt. of India (SERB file number: CRG/2019/006412, dated February 6, 2020).

Authors’ contributions: M. Karan designed the PCR strategies, performed experiments, analyzed data, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript; S. Paul performed experiments and acquired the data; S. Nath, B. Das, S. Ghosh, S. Karmakar, and P. Mandal performed the experiments; S. Ghosh contributed to finalizing the manuscript; B. Bhowmik, P. K. Singh, and R. Dixit acquired the field samples; C. Pal designed the study, finalized the manuscript, and acquired funds; all authors reviewed the final version of the manuscript and approved it.

Current contact information: Mintu Karan, Sharmistha Paul, Supriya Nath, Bedanta Das, Sanhita Ghosh, Suman Karmakar, Pritam Mandal, and Chiranjib Pal, Cellular Immunology and Vector Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, India, E-mails: mintukaran15@gmail.com, sharmistha.mistu92@gmail.com, suprion9@gmail.com, bedantadas47@gmail.com, mitti88.1@gmail.com, karmakarsuman77@gmail.com, pritam.mandal2295@gmail.com, and chiranjibpal.zoology@wbsu.ac.in or cpcu.immunology@gmail.com. Biplab Bhowmik, Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Diamond Harbour, India, E-mail: panchakotbb@gmail.com. Piyoosh Kumar Singh, Field Unit, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Ranchi, India, E-mail: drpksingh45@gmail.com. Rajnikant Dixit, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, India, E-mails: dixitrk@mrcindia.org and dixit2k@yahoo.com.

Address correspondence to Chiranjib Pal, Cellular Immunology and Vector Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal 700126, India. E-mails: chiranjibpal.zoology@wbsu.ac.in or cpcu.immunology@gmail.com
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