Assessment of an Immuno-Diagnostic Method for Hookworm-Related Cutaneous Larva Migrans Using Crude Extracts of Ancylostoma caninum

Abstract

People can become infected with cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) through skin penetration by the infective zoonotic larvae of hookworms. Few studies have investigated CLM’s immunodiagnosis, and the existing studies were limited to crude somatic or excretory/secretory antigens (Ags) from adult worms. Here, we aimed to develop an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to differentiate and diagnose hwCLM by detecting immunoglobulin (Ig)E, IgG, and IgG subclasses 1–4 (IgG1–4) against the somatic Ag of adult Ancylostoma caninum checkerboard titrations of adult A. caninum worm extract. Pooled serum controls were immunocharacterized using an indirect ELISA. The IgG1–4 and IgE results were unsatisfactory; however, the use of total IgG achieved results comparable to those of immunoblotting. Thus, we continued to analyze the IgG-ELISA using serum samples from patients with hwCLM and heterologous infections as well as from healthy controls. The sensitivity and excellent specificity of the total IgG-ELISA were 93.75% and 98.37%, respectively, and its positive and negative predictive values were 75% and 99.67%, respectively. Antibodies from five cases of angiostrongyliasis, gnathostomiasis, and dirofilariasis cross-reacted with the somatic Ag of adult A. caninum. This new assay can adequately serodiagnose hwCLM when combined with clinical features and/or histological examination.

Evaluation of Somatic Antigens of Adult Toxocara helminthes for Detection of Human Toxocariasis

“…Before the final ELISA, positive and negative pool sera were used, and to determine the optimal dilution conditions of antigens and antibodies, a checkerboard titration test was performed (Figures 1 and 2) [21]. All sera (cases and controls) were tested for anti-Toxocara antibodies (immunoglobulin G) using ELISA (as described by Mokhtarian et al, with some modifi-cations) [22].…”

Knowledge and Practices Related to Dog-Associated Zoonoses in Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria

“…Trans mammary transmission from an infected mother to puppies has also been reported [15]. Similarly, infection in humans occurs through intradermal penetration of Ancylostoma larvae from a contaminated environment, resulting in cutaneous larva migrans (CLM), also known as creeping eruption, sandworm eruption, plumber's itch, and serpiginous dermatitis [13,16].…”