Serological differentiation betweenEchinococcus granulosus andE. multilocularis infections in man

Abstract

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adapted for the serological differential diagnosis of cystic or alveolar echinococcosis in man caused by Echinococcus granulosus or E. multilocularis respectively. By affinity chromatography using rabbit anti hydatid fluid IgG coupled covalently to CNBr-Sepharose 4B a protein fraction (Em 1) containing shared antigens of both parasites could be isolated from an extract of E. multilocularis metacestode tissue. From the same source another antigen fraction (Em 2) with a high degree of specificity for E. multilocularis was prepared by immunosorption. Antigen Em 1 was equally sensitive for the detection of antibodies against E. granulosus and E. multilocularis, whereas antigen fraction Em 2 appeared to be more specific for E. multilocularis. A correct serological differential diagnosis was achieved in 95% of 57 confirmed cases of human cystic or alveolar echinococcosis by the simultaneous use of both antigen fractions in the ELISA and by comparison of their reactivities.

Serology and eosinophil count in the diagnosis and management of strongyloidiasis in a non-endemic area.

“…36 The antigen for this assay was a Chaffee ether extract of S. stercoralis third-stage larvae obtained from immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys and infected dogs. The test procedure was that described by Gottstein and others 37 Results are expressed as percentages of the absorbance at 404 nm of the mean value of duplicate patient specimens minus the mean value of normal sera multiplied by 2, divided by the mean value of duplicates of a positive reference serum minus the mean value of normal sera multiplied by 2 (according to the formula U − (N × 2)/P − (N × 2) × 100 ‫ס‬ %, where U ‫ס‬ mean of the 404 nm value of the unknown specimen, P ‫ס‬ mean of the 404 nm value of the positive control, and N ‫ס‬ mean of the 404 nm value of the negative control). The results were reported as negative (0−7%) or positive when the percent was equal to or greater than 8.…”

An epidemiologic survey of human alveolar echinococcosis in southwestern Germany. Römerstein Study Group.

“…Antigen Emc was prepared from E. multilocularis metacestode tissue grown intraperitoneally in a laboratory strain of common voles as described previously. 17 Antigen Emf was vesicular fluid of E. multilocularis metacestodes grown in vitro. 18 Microwell plates were coated using protein concentrations of 4 g/ml of antigen Emc and 4 g/ml of antigen Emf.…”

Biology and Systematics of Echinococcus

“…As mentioned earlier, differences in the antigenic characteristics between species of Echinococcus will have a bearing on the development of immunodiagnostic procedures in different countries (Cameron, 1960;Gottstein et al, 1983;Huldt et al, 1973;Jenkins et al, 2013;Lightowlers et al, 1984;Thompson, 2015; see also Chapter 9…”