Open AccessOCULAR TOXOCARA CANIS INFECTIONS: DIAGNOSIS BY ENZYME IMMUNOASSAY
Author(s) -
CLEMETT R. S.,
WILLIAMSON H. J. E.,
HlDAJAT R. R.,
ALLARDYCE R. A.,
STEWART A. C.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-1606
pISSN - 0814-9763
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9071.1987.tb00061.x
Subject(s) - toxocara canis , toxocariasis , immunoassay , context (archaeology) , canis , medicine , visceral larva migrans , immunology , antibody , helminths , biology , veterinary medicine , pathology , ecology , paleontology
Abstract An enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA) was used to establish the sero‐prevalence of Toxocara canis infection in several New Zealand populations including those who, through environment or occupation. had close contact with dogs. The prevalence of positive ELlSA values found reflected the degree of dog contact, e.g. positive ELISA'S occurred in 2.8% of urban adults, 13.9% of dog breeders and 28.4% of hydatid control officers emphasizing that a history of dog contact needs to be considered when ELISA results are interpreted in a clinical context. Ophthalmoscopy of 702 hydatid officers, 28.4% of whom were seropositive. disclosed no evidence of ocular toxocariasis and suggested that the officers might be immunoprotected. Preliminary immunoblot analysis of the range of toxocara excretory/secretory antigens bound to serum immunoglobulin from patients with presumed visceral larva migrans and ocular toxocariasis, showed the same reactivity profile as a positive reference serum and serum from a seroresponsive hydatid control officer .