APPLICATION OF THE IMMUNOCHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF TOXOPLASMOSIS AND TOXOCARIASIS

Abstract

Preparative immunological and serological studies for toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis were carried out. Antigenic and antibody immunoreagents based on proliferative forms of Toxoplasma gondii, excretory and secretory components of larval stages of Toxocara canis and specific immune sera were developed. When using the obtained diagnostic preparations, the blood serum of livestock and carnivorous animals and humans was examined for Toxoplasma and Toxocara antibodies and antigens using the immunochromatographic assay (IСA). IgG to Toxoplasma gondii in an ELISA were found in young men under 17 years of age. A study using the ICA express test of blood serum of housewives and students from the Northwest African countries revealed Toxoplasma antigens in 1.2 and 9.0%, respectively, and antibodies in 10.5 and 16.0%. The ICA in different age groups of people showed the highest level of Toxocara canis seropositivity among children, adolescents and young people aged from 9–12 to 17–20 years. Immunochromatographic assay belongs to the group of molecular biological methods and allows reliable detection, in the express test variant, of both pathogen antigens and antibodies. The ICA informativeness is 98% with high sensitivity. The above method in the express test variant makes it possible to seroepidemiological and seroepizootological monitoring for acute and latent toxoplasmosis, as well as for toxocariasis (larva migrans syndrome).