The detection and measurement of coproantibodies to Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in rats following a primary infection

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Abstract
Investigations were initiated to study the possible detection and measurement of coproantibodies in animals infected with a gastrointestinal nematode parasite. Fecal extracts, extracts of small intestinal mucosa and sera of rats infected with intestinal nematode N. brasiliensis were examined for total IgA, IgM and IgG levels and hemagglutinating and precipitating antibodies specific to parasite antigens over a 30 day period following infection. In both fecal and mucosal extracts Ig concentrations increased after a primary infection. In fecal extracts there was a 7-fold increase of IgA, a 3- to 6-fold increase of IgG and about a 50-fold increase of IgM. Hemagglutinins in fecal extracts detected by adult worm excretory-secretory (ES) products and adult worm and infective larvae somatic extracts were observed from 3 days after infection (DAI). Hemagglutinins detected by ES products reached their highest titers on 11-12 DAI while those reacting with adult worm somatic extracts showed the highest level between 15 and 19 DAI. A similar pattern of response was found in the antibody levels of the intestinal mucosa. Hemaggglutinins detected in feces during the first 12 DAI reacted with the same antigens as antibodies present in the sera at that time, but coproantibodies from 18, 24 and 30 DAI were different from those circulating in sera at that stage of the infection. Apparently, measurement of coproantibody levels may provide a convenient and useful index of local immune responses to gastrointestinal helminths.

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