Abstract

CASTANO SEPULVEDA, Tatiana et al. Comparison of preservation methods of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) specimens for DNA extraction. Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2011, vol.27, n.1, pp.36-48. ISSN 0120-5552.

Abstract Introduction: Various methodologies have been reported for long term specimen preservation, which protect the DNA from degradation allowing its posterior analysis in molecular studies. However, the effectiveness of the preservation methods may vary among insect groups; therefore, it is convenient to determine the preservation method to be used with a particular group before performing molecular studies with a large number of specimens. Objetives: An experimental comparative study was conducted to evaluate different preservation treatments for Anopheles albimanus, to know their utility in conserving the quantity and quality of DNA to be used in subsequent molecular studies. Methods: DNA was extracted from each specimen, it was then quantified by spectrophotometer and the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) was amplified by PCR. Results: ITS2 amplification was obtained in all specimens without previous preservation, in 60% of those preserved in sílica gel and in 20% of those preserved at -80°C and in 70% ethanol. A significant difference (p<0.05) was found between amplification proportions. Amplification was not obtained in specimens preserved frozen at -20°C and not correlation by logistic regression was observed between the DO260/DO280 index and DNA concentration of specimens presenting ITS2 amplification. Conclusions: The data suggest that keeping specimens in silica gel or frozen at -80°C may be the best conditions to preserve Anopheles specimens for subsequent molecular studies.

Keywords : Anopheles; malaria; DNA; samples preservation; polymerase chain reaction.

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