Identification of Host Blood Meals in Arthropods.

Abstract

An accurate knowledge of hosts of hematophagous arthropods is essential in studies of diseases transmitted by arthropods. Identification of blood meals of these arthropods requires a test which is sensitive enough to detect digested blood and specific enough to identify the various hosts. The study presently being reported on is concerned with a method which involves crystallization of the hemoglobin (Hb) in the blood samples from the arthropod midgut and comparing the crystal structure with that of known material. Crystallization of vertebrate blood samples were more easily attained with the relatively insoluble Hb than with the more soluble ones. Techniques aimed at reducing the solubility of more soluble Hb's, buffering at human Hb's isoelectric point, were used to improve crystallization success.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 25, 1977
Accession Number
ADA052428

Entities

People

  • Robert K. Washino

Organizations

  • University of California, Davis

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Birds
  • Cells
  • Eutrophication
  • Habitats
  • Poultry

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Vector-Borne Disease and Entomology