Comparative analysis of larval excretory-secretory antigens of Baylisascaris procyonis, Toxocara canis and Ascaris suum by Western blotting and enzyme immunoassay

Boyce W. M., Branstetter B. A. and Kazacos K. R. 1988. Comparative analysis of larval excretory-secretory antigens of Baylisascaris procyonis, Toxocara canis and Ascaris suum by Western blotting and enzyme immunoassay. International Journal for Parasitology 18: 109-113. Larval excretorysecretory (ES) antigens were collected from in vitro cultures of Baylisascaris procyonis, Toxocara canis and Ascaris suum and fractionated by sodium dodecyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Following SDS-PAGE, specific antigens were identified on Western blots by enzyme immunoassay using a panel of antisera raised in mice. Serum was collected from mice infected with either Ascaris suum, Toxocara canis, Baylisascaris procyonis, Baylisascaris melis, Baylisascaris transfuga, Baylisascaris columnaris or Toxascaris leonina. Widespread cross-reactivity was detected among ascaridid antisera reacted against ES antigens from T. canis, B. procyonis and A. suum. However, certain B. procyonis ES antigens were recognized only by sera from mice infected with Baylisascaris spp., and these antigens may be useful for the immunodiagnosis of infections caused by members of this genus.