ABSTRACT
The enzymes linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test human sera from patients with prepatent and patent Dracunculus medinensis infection with adult worm antigen to asses its potential value in the Immunodiagnosis of early asymptomatic guinea worm infection. The serum antibody response of prepatent sera samples from asymptomatic infected individuals showed a progressive increase in antibody level till the appearance of patent infection. It may be possible to detect the infection at least six months before the emergence of worms in an individual by using this test.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Helminth/blood , Dracunculiasis/blood , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , HumansABSTRACT
This study provides an indication of predatory behaviour of Mesocyclops leuckarti sensu lato against first instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. The predatory potentiality of M. leuckarti was tested by 'No choice' and 'choice' experiments. The predation rate increased with increase in prey density and hunger state of the predator and decreased with the increase in water volume and choice of other zooplankton.
Subject(s)
Animals , Crustacea , Culex/parasitology , Disease VectorsSubject(s)
Adjuvants, Immunologic/therapeutic use , Animals , Antigens, Helminth/immunology , Bacterial Vaccines , Cattle , Cross Reactions , Female , Filariasis/parasitology , Filarioidea/immunology , Male , Microfilariae/isolation & purification , Setaria Nematode/immunology , Sigmodontinae/immunology , Vaccines/immunologyABSTRACT
The effects of Plasmodium berghei infection on liver function and plasma orosomucoid metabolism were investigated in Wistar rats. Infected rats with 20-25% parasitaemia manifested increased serum transaminase levels, hypoalbuminaemia and hypoproteinaemia. In spite of such indications of deranged liver function, the hepatic synthesis rate (as measured by 14C-amino acid incorporation) of seromucoids predominantly orosomucoid or alpha 1-acid glycoprotein) was increased by 73%. The circulating levels of this glycoprotein were also doubled in infected animals. The albumin synthesis rate was not increased. This preferential synthesis and increase in circulating levels of orosomucoid may have in vivo significance in malarial infection, in view of reports that orosomuocid has influence on in vitro invasion of red cells by malarial parasites.