Immunoglobulin G antibodies against the endosymbionts of filarial nematodes (Wolbachia) in patients with pulmonary dirofilariasis.
The dog parasite Dirofilaria immitis can infect humans. Patients with pulmonary dirofilariasis were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the surface protein of Wolbachia, the bacterial endosymbiont of D. immitis. These patients showed significantly higher IgG titers than healthy individuals from areas in which D. immitis was endemic as well as areas in which it was not endemic. Titration of anti-Wolbachia surface protein IgG could become useful for diagnostic applications.
Simón
F
F
Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
Prieto
G
G
Morchón
R
R
Bazzocchi
C
C
Bandi
C
C
Genchi
C
C
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D004182:Dirofilaria; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000469:parasitology; D013559:Symbiosis; D020577:Wolbachia / Q000276:immunology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G