Development of an enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the sand fly fever viruses detection

An Enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was recently established for the detection of sandfly Naples and Sicilian viruses (SFN and SFS) from laboratory infected as well as wild caught sandflies in Egypt. Optimal dilutions of the reactants including the coating antibodies (Rabbit antiserum), detecting antibodies (Mouse antiserum), conjugate and the time used for incubation of the substrate (ABTS) were determined for both SFN and SFS viruses. The ELISA test showed to be highly specific and sensitive except for the SFN virus which cross reacted with Toscana virus. A total of 1582 sandflies, forming 54 pools (each consisted of 2-109 flies) were collected from different governorates in Egypt (North Sinai, South Sinai, Alexandria, Giza, Qualubyia, Sharkiya and Aswan) in the years 1986-1987 and 1988, and tested for virus detection by the SFN-ELISA and SFS-ELISA. Only one pool (from Giza governorate) revirus was detected. Tests were repeated two times and confirmed by the complement fixation and plaque neutralization tests. The established ELISA technique hold great promise as a routine surveillance tool, permitting rapid, simple, sensitive, specific and inexpensive assay for the detection of the sandfly fever viruses.