Application of real-time RT-PCR in vector surveillance and assessment of replication kinetics of an emerging novel ECSA genotype of Chikungunya virus in Aedes aegypti

SYBR Green I based real time RT-PCR assay was developed for detection of Chikungunya virus and validated with an array of mosquito samples. The implementation of the assay in detecting lower viral load makes it a remarkable tool for surveillance of virus activity in mosquitoes with higher sensitivity and specificity, which led to identification of CHIKV in field collected Aedes aegypti from northern India. This assay was also successfully applied to study replication kinetics of CHIKV in A. aegypti.