Detection of filarial infection using Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae culture antigen and filter paper blood samples in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Blood collected on filter paper by finger-prick gave results comparable to intravenous serum samples when analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All the 100 microfilaraemia, 5 out of 100 endemic normals and none of the 10 nonendemic normal filter paper blood samples showed the presence of filarial antibody when tested by this method,using culture antigen and anti-immunoglubulins, class G, Μ and A — penicillinase conjugate. When the same samples were screened for the presence of IgM antibody, 91 out of 100 microfilaraemia, 13 out of 100 endemic normal and none of the 10 nonendemic normal samples showed a positive reaction. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, using culture antigen and filter paper blood samples, appears to work in large field studies for detection of filarial infection.