Immunoanalysis of different antigenic preparations of Angiostrongylus cantonensis for neuroangiostrongyliasis diagnosis improvement

Abstract

BACKGROUND Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the etiological agent of neuroangiostrongyliasis in humans, which is developed in gastropods and vertebrate species, mainly rodents. Human transmission occurs through consumption of molluscs and paratenic hosts infected with L3, and the migration of larvae to the central nervous system causes eosinophilic meningitis. Laboratory diagnosis is based on molecular and immunological tests, using young or adult females as a source of antigens. However, these tests give positive results only after several weeks of symptoms onset and also cross-reactions with others parasite infections may occur.OBJECTIVES The purpose of this work was to study different antigenic preparations of distinct evolutionary phases of A. cantonensis, in order to improve serological techniques for disease immunodiagnosis.METHODS For this purpose, antigenic fractions of different evolutionary forms were evaluated by Dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA) and Western blot using serum samples.FINDINGS All analysed fractions showed reactivity with serum samples from patients with neuroangiostrongyliasis, especially female membrane alkaline (FAM) and female soluble alkaline (FAS) fractions together with female soluble saline (FSS), improving the technique specificity. MAIN CONCLUSIONSThe results point to the possibility of use of raw female antigens in association with alkaline membrane antigens extracted from adult worms to aid in diagnosis and helps initiate neuroangiostrongyliasis surveillance and control actions.

Molecular Diagnosis of Severe Angiostrongylus cantonensis-Induced Eosinophilic Meningitis: A Case Report Emphasizing the Need for Accurate Detection Methods

“…The PCR assay allows for parasite DNA detection in CSF during the acute phase, meaning it can obtain a diagnosis faster than serological testing. PCR has now become the primary confirmatory diagnostic method for confirming A. cantonensis infection [ 4 – 6 , 8 , 9 ].…”

An Overview of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae), an Emerging Cause of Human Angiostrongylosis on the Indian Subcontinent

“…Numerous techniques, including ELISA, immunoblot assays, gold immunochromatography, and rapid dot immunogold filtration assays, have been used for decades. However, these techniques may have limitations as the antibody may be undetectable in the early stages of infection [ 3 , 30 , 51 , 52 ]. Molecular diagnostic methods have been employed as a robust diagnostic tool based on PCR, real-time PCR, LAMP, and recombinase polymerase assay (RPA), which has the potential to improve AEM diagnosis by enabling highly sensitive detection of A. cantonensis DNA in a patient’s CSF, serum, or other materials [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ].…”