Open AccessDifferentiation of Larva Migrans Caused by Baylisascaris procyonis and Toxocara Species by Western Blotting
Author(s) -
Sriveny Dangoudoubiyam,
Kevin R. Kazacos
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical and vaccine immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.649
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1556-6811
pISSN - 1556-679X
DOI - 10.1128/cvi.00251-09
Subject(s) - biology , serology , visceral larva migrans , larva migrans , antigen , parasitology , immunology , helminthiasis , microbiology and biotechnology , antibody , zoology
Baylisascaris procyonis andToxocara species are two important causes of larva migrans in humans. Larva migrans caused byToxocara spp. is well known and is diagnosed serologically by enzyme immunoassay. Over a dozen cases of larva migrans and associated eosinophilic encephalitis caused byB. procyonis have also been reported, and at least a dozen additional cases are known. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the excretory-secretory (ES) antigen ofB. procyonis larvae is currently being used in our laboratory as an aid in the diagnosis of this infection in humans. Clinically affected individuals show very high reactivity (measured as the optical density) on this ELISA; however, a one-way cross-reactivity withToxocara spp. has been observed. As an approach to differentiate these two infections based on serology, we performed Western blots, wherein theB. procyonis ES antigen was reacted with serum samples from individuals known to be positive for eitherToxocara spp. orB. procyonis larva migrans. Western blot results showed thatB. procyonis antigens of between 30 and 45 kDa were specifically identified only by the sera from individuals withBaylisascaris larva migrans, thus allowing for differentiation between the two infections. This included human patient serum samples submitted for serologic testing, as well as sera from rabbits experimentally infected withB. procyonis . When used in conjunction with the ELISA, Western blotting could be an efficient tool for diagnosis of this infection in humans.