title: Cross-reactivity of the 31 kDa antigen of Angiostrongylus cantonensis - Dealing with the immunodiagnosis of meningoencephalitis.
abstract: The primary causative agent of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (EoM) in endemic regions is the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The occurrence of EoM was previously restricted to countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands; however, more recently, it has been reported from other regions, including Brazil. The commonly used diagnosis is detection of specific antibody reactivity to the 31 kDa antigen, which is derived from female worm somatic extracts. Here we report the occurrence of cross-reactivity to this antigen in sera from other parasitic infections, especially those that may cause EoM, such as gnathostomiasis, toxocariasis, hydatidosis and strongyloidiasis. We also demonstrated that the cross-reactivity, in part, is dependent of the concentration of antigen used in Western blot assays. We discuss the importance of these findings on the interpretation of this test.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária da Faculdade de Biociências e Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular do Instituto de Pesquisas Biomédicas da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS),Av Ipiranga 6690,90690-900 Porto Alegre RS,Brasil.
authors.forename: Alessandra L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Morassutti
authors.affiliation: Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria,Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30329,USA.
authors.forename: Lisa N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Rascoe
authors.affiliation: Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria,Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30329,USA.
authors.forename: Sukwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Handali
authors.affiliation: U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Division of Virulence Assessment,Center for Foods Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment,Silver Spring,Maryland,USA.
authors.forename: Alexandre J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: DA Silva
authors.affiliation: Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria,Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30329,USA.
authors.forename: Patricia P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Wilkins
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária da Faculdade de Biociências e Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular do Instituto de Pesquisas Biomédicas da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS),Av Ipiranga 6690,90690-900 Porto Alegre RS,Brasil.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graeff-Teixeira
mesh_terms: D017185:Angiostrongylus cantonensis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000947:Antigens, Helminth
keywords: 31 kDa antigen; Angiostrongyliasis diagnosis; cross-reactivity; eosinophilic meningoencephalitis