A Sensitive Immunocapture-RT-PCR Assay for Detection of Maize Iranian Mosaic Virus in Individual Small Brown Planthopper Vector, Laodelphax striatellus

BACKGROUND: Sensitive detection of Maize Iranian mosaic virus (MIMV) in its insect vector, Laodelphax striatellus is essential for effective forecast and control of this viral disease. OBJECTIVES: Three methods of ELISA, RT-PCR and IC-RT-PCR were compared regarding their sensitivity for detection of MIMV in the single planthopper with a series of various dilutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To detect MIMV from a single insect vector, the sensitivity of three methods including ELISA, RT-PCR and IC-RT-PCR was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared to the other methods, the IC-RT-PCR showed more sensitivity and detected virus at least at the 160 dilution. While, both ELISA and RT-PCR methods could detect up to the 120. CONCLUSION: The results reported herein showed that IC-RT-PCR is a sensitive and simple method to detect MIMV from a single insect vector with high efficiency and reliability. These findings might be useful in the prediction of viral disease incidence in host plants and this method can also be effective to detect other viruses in their insect vectors.