Field evaluation of IgG4 serology for the diagnosis of onchocerciasis in children.
IgG4 serology was evaluated for early diagnosis of onchocerciasis in children living within an endemic focus of forest-type onchocerciasis in Nigeria. IgG4 serology proved to be more sensitive than conventional skin snip examination being able to detect 42% of infected children as opposed to 24% by snip examination. Furthermore, age was not a limitation to the technique within the 8-12 y spectrum. We conclude that IgG4 serology in children is a reliable indicator of community microfilarial rate and ongoing transmission of onchocerciasis.
Ogunrinade
A F
AF
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Kale
O O
OO
Chandrashekar
R
R
Weil
G J
GJ
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D009854:Onchocerca / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D007074:Immunoglobulin G