Journal of Helminthology

Table of Contents - 1980 - Volume 54, Issue 02  

Research Papers

Immunofluorescent studies in filariasis: antibody levels in jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) infected with Brugia malayi

Mulkit Singha1, G. J. Kanea2, C. Burrena2 and L. M. Mackinlaya2

a1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Singapore, Singapore 3

a2 Department of Microbiology, Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, Kent, England

Abstract

The indirect fluorescent antibody technique has been applied to detect antibody levels in jirds (meriones unguiculatus) infected with Brugia malayi. Sonicated antigens were prepared from microfilariae and adult worms. Sonicated microfilariae were found to be satisfactory for this purpose. Cyanogen bromide-activated sepharose coated with soluble antigens prepared from microfilariae and adult worms was also used to detect antibodies to Brugia infections. The present observation show that these techniques can be usefully applied for detection of filarial infections. Antibody titres in infected jirds generally ranged from 1: 16 –1:256 and were not affected by treatment with diethylcarbamazine.

(Accepted February 12 1979)