Comparison of Oestrus ovis metabolic and somatic antigens for the immunodiagnosis of the zoonotic myasis oestrosis by immunoenzymatic probes.

Control of zoonosis implies reduction of infected animal hosts, and the first measure consists of a suitable and accurate detection test. An experimental study for determining the most appropriate antigen (metabolic or somatic) to be used in the detection of the oestrosis (Oestrus ovis) zoonotic myasis by means of immunoenzymatic probes was carried out. A flock of 23 uninfected goats was maintained under field conditions to allow their infection in Sassari (Sardinia, Italy). Caprine were bled monthly and serum samples processed by means of an iELISA. After comparing these results to the chronobiology of O. ovis, we proved that the IgG humoral response against the metabolic antigens increased only during the period of real risk of infestation (when adults fly, from May to September), whereas the absorbances against the somatic products were positive from the beginning of the study (in January, prior to infection). We concluded that the excretory/secretory products are most useful and suitable for the immunodiagnosis of oestrosis in goats, because a direct relation between the development of O. ovis and the IgG humoral response is possible, allowing a more accurate diagnostic.