Detection of antibodies to secretions of Ancylostoma caninum in human eosinophilic enteritis

Abstract

To evaluate the role of canine hookworms in human eosinophilic enteritis (EE) in north-eastern Australia, we tested human sera in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which incorporated antigens of adult Ancylostoma caninum. Sera from the following groups were examined: 10 patients with EE (unexplained recurrent abdominal pain and related symptoms, with peripheral eosinophilia) from Townsville and Brisbane; 2 persons known to be infected with A. caninum and 20 presumed unexposed healthy controls; 20 patients with other gastrointestinal diseases; 20 with other identified parasitic infections; and 20 with atopic conditions. High levels of specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgE antibodies were found in patients with EE but not other gastrointestinal disease. Excretory-secretory (ES) products were more discriminating than somatic antigens in the ELISA and the IgG/ES-ELISA was the most specific; occasional cross-reactions could be explained on epidemiological or parasitological grounds. The IgM-ELISA was neither specific nor sensitive. We conclude that canine ancylostomiasis is a major cause of human EE in north-eastern Australia, and the pathogenesis is based probably on hypersensitivity to antigens secreted by the parasite.

Cleavage of hemoglobin by hookworm cathepsin D aspartic proteases and its potential contribution to host specificity

“…Adult N. americanus hookworms were collected from infected hamsters upon necropsy at The George Washington University (GWU), Washington, DC. Somatic extracts and excretory/secretory (ES) products from adult worms were prepared as described elsewhere (18). Ac‐apr ‐1 (8) and Na‐apr ‐1 were amplified from cDNA libraries by using a degenerate primer designed to bind to the region of the active site Asp of aspartic proteases (8).…”

Therapeutic potential of helminth soluble proteins in TNBS-induced colitis in mice

“…caninum excretory/secretory proteins (AcESP) were collected as previously described. 30 Briefly, adult A. caninum worms were recovered from stray dogs after euthanasia at the University of Queensland Veterinary School, Brisbane, Australia. Worms were washed and cultured overnight at 37°C in RPMI medium supplemented with antibiotics and antimycotic.…”

Epidemiological and Genetic Data Supporting the Transmission of Ancylostoma ceylanicum among Human and Domestic Animals

“…For example, cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) or ‘creeping eruptions’ is a hypersensitivity reaction caused by migrating nematode larvae, of which Ancylostoma braziliense is the most frequently implicated aetiological agent in humans [6], . Another canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum is the leading cause of human eosinophilic enteritis (EE) and an outbreak of 150 cases was reported between 1988 and 1992 in Australia [8]–[10]. Cases have also been reported in the United States [11], Egypt [12], the Philippines, South America and Israel [13].…”