Abstract: AIM: To develop sensitive, specific, simple assays for the detection of Brugia
malayi larva in mosquito vectors. METHODS: The optimum conditions for PCR and PCR ELISA were
determined. With dissected larvae, detection limits and as well as specificities of the two
assays were worked out. The optimized assays were then tested with infected and non infected
mosquito vectors, Anopheles sinensis. RESULTS: Both PCR and PCR ELISA detected DNA equivalent to
a single L1 stage larva(L1). While the actual detecting limits of the two, as estimated and titrated respectively, reached to 1/10 and 1/100 of a L 1. When the two assays were used to detect the larvae isolated from 113 infected A . sinensis, all gave specific bands and positive reactions. However, trials on direct amplification swith crude extracts of infected mosquito vectors consistently failed to give specific bands upon electrophoresis and negative results in PCR-ELISA as well. CONCLUSION: Both PCR and PCR-ELISA were preliminarily established for the detection of isolated B. malayi larva in mosquito vector, which proved to be sensitive, specific and easy to manipulate

Key words: Brugia malayi, PCR, probe, ELISA