title: The effect of ivermectin treatment on the antibody response to antigens of Onchocerca volvulus.
abstract: The effect of the microfilaricidal drug ivermectin on the antibody response to a detergent extract of adult Onchocerca volvulus (OvAg) and a number of specific recombinant peptides was examined. Three of the peptides were combined in a serodiagnostic 'cocktail' and the effect of ivermectin on the diagnostic performance of this assay was assessed. Immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 serum levels in response to OvAg significantly decreased following ivermectin treatment. The antibody response to only one recombinant peptide (OvMBP29) was significantly affected, with IgG levels decreasing following treatment. Levels of total IgE increased following treatment. No correlation was observed between initial antibody level (or change in antibody level) and any adverse reaction to treatment. The serodiagnostic 'cocktail' was 100% sensitive before and after the use of ivermectin. A serodiagnostic assay using specific recombinant peptides can be used to evaluate infection in the absence of dermal microfilariae in areas where ivermectin is used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lustigman
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rivas-Alcala
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000276:immunology*; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D017181:Onchocerca volvulus / Q000276:immunology*; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007559:Ivermectin