Immunodiagnosis of Gnathostomiasis

Abstract

Abstract

Several immunological methods for the diagnosis of gnathostomiasis have appeared in the literature. The oldest method was the skin test, which was established initially by Japanese scientists in the 1960s. It was a convenient and relatively reliable diagnostic means in that period. During the 1980s, ELISA was evaluated by several investigators, and it was found that sensitivity varied from 56% to 100%. The antigen used in the assay was crude larval antigen of Gnathostoma spinigerum, crude adult antigen of G. doloresi or larval excretory-secretory antigen. The immunoblotting technique was studied during the 1990s. The specific diagnostic band was the protein component with a molecular weight of 24 kDa. The routine current diagnostic method for human gnathostomiasis is the immunoblotting technique. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the crude soluble extract, 24 kDa protein component of G. spinigerum advanced third-stage larvae have been produced. Moreover, hybridoma cell lines, derived from spleen cells of an infected mouse, secreted antibodies that reacted with the cuticle of GsAL3 sections by IFA. These mAbs were produced. However, the diagnostic value of these mAbs is not applicable for the diagnosis of human gnathostomiasis.

Keywords : immunodiagnosis, gnathostomiasis