ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY FOR MEASUREMENT OF ANTIBODY-RESPONSES TO DIROFILARIA-IMMITIS IN EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED-DOGS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (1) , 66-69
Abstract
The chronology of the antibody response to D. immitis was measured in 2 groups of experimentally infected Beagle dogs. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a semipurified, adult D. immitis-derived antigen was used to quantitate antibody levels. Group A consisted of 4 dogs inoculated once with D. immitis infective larvae, 4 dogs inoculated twice with D. immitis infective larvae and 4 noninoculated dogs. Group B consisted of 26 dogs which were all infected with D. immitis; however, 16 of these were given daily prophylactic concentrations of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) beginning 5 days before inoculation. Significant levels of antibody were demonstrable 16 wk after inoculation of group A dogs and remained significantly increased throughout the study. There were no significant differences in antibody levels in dogs inoculated once or twice. Nontreated and DEC-treated dogs in group B developed significant antibody titers 11 wk after inoculation. Significant differences in antibody titers between treated and nontreated dogs were first observed 13 wk after inoculation; these differences remained for the duration of the investigation. There was no apparent correlation between antibody levels and either adult worm numbers or microfilaria counts.