title: Multi-immunodot for rapid differential diagnosis of eosinophilic meningitis due to parasitic infections.
abstract: A multi-dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the rapid and simple differential diagnosis of eosinophilic meningitis due to helminth infections. Ultrafiltered, purified antigens of Parastrongylus (=Angiostrongylus) cantonensis, Gnathostoma spinigerum and Taenia solium metacestodes, the most common parasites that invade the central nervous system and cause eosinophilic pleocytosis, were dotted onto a single nitrocellulose membrane strip. Antigen-coated strips, when blocked with 5% skimmed milk and dried, were stable for at least 6 months at 4 degrees C. With peroxidase conjugated anti-human immunoglobulins and 4-chloro-1-naphthol as a substrate, antibodies in the corresponding patients' sera were clearly detected on the membrane strip as well-defined blue dots. Although cross-reactions between P. cantonensis and G. spinigerum antigens were observed with the use of partially purified antigens, the darkest dot correlated well with the infecting parasites in all cases. This fast, easy and economical multiple dot-blot ELISA method is useful for the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic meningitis caused by parasitic helminths, as semi-purified antigens can be easily obtained by ultrafiltration and used. Further improvements using highly specific parasite antigens may make this multi-immunodot test more suitable for wide-scale use in field studies and diagnostic laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. sipes@mucc.mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eamsobhana
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ongrotchanakun
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yoolek
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Punthuprapasa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Monkong
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dekumyoy
mesh_terms: D017185:Angiostrongylus cantonensis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D006039:Gnathostoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D041201:Taenia solium / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth