Prevalence of toxocariasis in northeastern Brazil based on serology using recombinant Toxocara canis antigen.
To evaluate the prevalence of toxocariasis in children in Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil, 215 serum samples were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a recombinant Toxocara canis antigen. In the ELISA, 26 (12.1%) of 215 subjects were positive. In a dot-blot assay using 53 of 215 serum samples, the diagnostic results correlated with those obtained by the ELISA. Moreover, it has been confirmed that the recombinant T. canis antigen was highly specific for toxocariasis by ELISA using serum samples positive for antibody to Ascaris lumbricoides. Considering the specificity of the recombinant antigen to toxocariasis, the ELISA or dot-blot assay using the recombinant T. canis antigen is recommended in tropical and sub-tropical regions where various parasitic infections are commonly endemic.
De Andrade Lima Coêlho
Raquel
R
Departamento de Bioquímica, Laboratório de Imunopatología Keizo Asami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil.
De Carvalho
Luiz Bezerra
LB
Perez
Emília Pessoa
EP
Araki
Kunioki
K
Takeuchi
Tsutomu
T
Ito
Akira
A
Aoki
Takashi
T
Yamasaki
Hiroshi
H
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015995:Prevalence; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D012698:Serologic Tests; D012699:Serology; D017166:Toxocara canis / Q000276:immunology*; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D011994:Recombinant Proteins