DNA-based methods for the identification of insect vectors

Abstract

Many insect vectors are members of complexes composed of morphologically identical sibling species. The identification of individual species, a requirement of epidemiological studies and control programmes, has traditionally relied upon techniques such as chromosomal analysis or isoenzyme typing. Owing to the limitations of these techniques, the last few years have seen many developments in DNA-based technologies for identification. DNA-based protocols have advantages over the other techniques utilized, in that they may identify all insect stages of both sexes using alcohol-preserved, dried, fresh or frozen specimens. The methods ultimately rely upon either DNA probe hybridization or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This review describes a number of approaches taken towards the development of these techniques. The aim of these approaches, whether directed or random, is to produce a methodology that is cheap, accurate and easy to use. In this review, the DNA-based techniques developed for the identification of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes are used to illustrate the power of these methods, although, as the review demonstrates, the technology is directly applicable to many other mosquito or insect vectors. In addition, the methods discussed may be utilized for generating additional epidemiological data, such as identification of parasites within the vector or origin of the bloodmeal. A comprehensive survey of the probe systems available for the identification of insect vectors and the disease-causing organisms they transmit to the human population is therefore included. Given further advances in this technology, it may be anticipated that DNA-based approaches to identification may eventually supersede more traditional methodologies in the fields of tropical medicine and parasitology.