Identification of bed bug (Cimex lectularius) surface deposited residues as a means for development of bed bug detection devices

Analysis to elucidate existence of unique bed bug surface deposited residues has shown an assortment of proteins exist where bed bugs harbor. One protein residue, nitrophorin, present in the saliva of bed bugs, has been detected from wipes of infested surfaces where bed bugs harbor. Additional proteins have yet to be identified. Dow AgroSciences has successfully developed antibodies unique to bed bug specific antigens. Use of these antibodies has shown antigen-antibody reaction from surface wipes taken from bedbug infested harborages. Sensitivity of the results appears to be a function of the intensity of the bed bug infestation (i.e., high populations yield positive results, low populations yield no detectable results). Studies showed that bed bugs deposit protein residues on infested surfaces. The antibody analysis demonstrated the detection of specific immune reactive proteins derived from bed bugs, although the identity of these proteins has not been determined. Mass spectrometry analysis identified a salivary protein (nitrophorin) known to be specific to bed bugs, however, this protein does not correspond to one of the immune reactive proteins detected by the antibody preparation. Combined, these results are critical in that they demonstrate not only that bed bugs deposit specific protein residues on infested surfaces, but also that ELISA testing may be able to be developed as an indirect bed bug detection sampling methodology. In addition, it is highly unlikely that bed bugs deposit unique residues that are non-proteinaceous in nature in sufficient quantity for development of a detection device.