Author/Authors :
Bahgat, M.M. National Research Centre - Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences - Department of Therapeutic Chemistry and Infectious Diseases and Immunology Laboratory, Egypt , Saad, A.H. University of Cairo - Faculty of Science - Department of Zoology, Egypt , El-Shahawi, G.A. University of Beni-Suef - Faculty of Science - Department of Zoology, Egypt , Gad, A.M. Ain Shams University - Department of Entomology, Egypt , Ramzy, R.M. General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes - National Nutrition Institute, Egypt , Ruppel, A. University of Heidelberg - Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health, Germany , Abdel-Latif, M. University of Beni-Suef - Faculty of Science - Department of Zoology, Egypt
Abstract :
Crude antigenic preparations from Setaria equina were used in ELISA and Western blotting to examine crossreaction with human sera from areas endemic for bancroftian filariasis. Sera from normal subjects from non-endemic areas were included as negative controls. Cross-reaction was found between S. equina antigens and antibodies in the sera of Wuchereria bancrofti-infected patients, with the highest levels observed between sera of chronic infected patients and Setaria spp. crude female worm surface antigen (CFSWA). In the absence of active transmission of Setaria spp. infection, CFWSA is useful to detect chronic W. bancrofti infection before patients become symptomatic, particularly when chronic patients are known to be amicrofilaraemic. In the presence of active S. equina infection, antigens from the adult and microfilaraemic stages showed the highest degree of cross-reaction with human sera.
