Stable Isotope Analysis Can Potentially Identify Completely-Digested Bloodmeals in Mosquitoes

摘要: Background Vertebrate bloodfeeding is a critical component of mosquito's ability to transmit pathogens that cause diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and viral encephalitis. Due degradation by the digestive process, current methods identify mosquito bloodmeal sources are only useful for approximately 36 hours post-feeding. A need exists technologies extend this window gain more complete picture feeding behavior epidemiological studies. Stable isotopes investigating organism because isotopic ratio an organism's tissues reflects material it ingests. Methodology/Principal Findings Proof-of-principle data indicates after bloodfeeding, Aedes albopictus mosquitoes acquire diagnostic Carbon Nitrogen stable isotope profiles from their vertebrate hosts can be accurately identified one week post-feeding, 4 days entire has been digested. Total C/N served biomarker marker (P<0.02), while δN was most informative variable which could distinguish between unfed, chicken-fed human-fed (P<0.01). By plotting vs. δN, all treatments in double-blind analysis. Conclusions/Significance These proof-of-principle experiments indicate analysis used bloodfed unfed mosquitoes, also different even blood The development isotope-based assays identification may powerful tool investigate ecology dynamics vector-borne pathogens.