[Detection of dengue virus genome RNA in some kinds of animals caught from dengue fever endemic areas in Hainan Island with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction].

Detection of dengue virus genome RNA in brain of bats caught from dengue fever endemic areas in Hainan Island were carried out with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Positive result was demonstrated in 20 of 35 bats tested, with a positive rate of 57.14%; RT-PCR was applied for the detection of dengue virus genome RNA in sera of bats caught from the endemic areas in Hainan Island, 3(16.66%) of 18 sera were positive. Dengue virus genome RNA in female Aedes aegypti captured from dengue fever endemic areas in Hainan Island was detected by using RT-PCR, 1(33.33%) of 3 lots was positive. Similar examinations on bat brains and mosquitoes captured from non-endemic areas were all negative. In addition, monoclonal IgG antibodies against types 1-4 dengue viruses were added onto brain imprints of bats captured from endemic areas of dengue fever in Hainan Island, 16(80.00%) of 20 showed positive results for type 2 dengue virus antigen by direct immunofluorescent assay. The antibodies to various types of dengue virus were coincided to that of dengue virus genome RNA. The above results proved that bat is the reservoir of dengue virus, and this provides an important clue for the effective control of dengue fever epidemics in endemic areas.