Angiostrongyliasis: analysis of a chromatographically purified antigen of Angiostrongylus cantonensis adult worms by immunoblot

Abstract

A crude extract of female and male adult worms of Angiostrongylus cantonesis was partially putified through Sephacryl S-200 gel chromatography. The fraction peak 2 had been previously evaluated to be the best functional antigen among four peaks with a sensitivity of 96.3% and a specificity of 96.53% by indirect ILISA. In the present study, the antigen peak 2 was determined for its antigenicity by immunoblot for searching a diagnostic band. The detection of lgG from human angiostrongyliasis was responsible for the antigen of 31 kDa. Not with negative controls and eighteen of other helminthic infections. Unfortunately, it was crossreactive with toxocariasis (1/2) and hydatidosis (1/2) sera, but only one case of hydatidosis is proven and officially reported in Thailand. No toxocariasis case has ever been reported, as well. The antigen was a glycoprotein analysed by peroxidase-labelled Concanvalin A and Coomassie brilliant blue staining. It is necessary to study the specific antigenicity of the 31 kDa antigen by a sophisticated technique and for it to be proven more with different kinds and numbers of other parasitic infections, including toxocariasis and hydatidosis