Immunodiagnosis of Bancroftian filariasis by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using Litomosoides carinii and Setaria cervi antigens.

An ELISA was developed using cross-reacting antigens of Litomosoides carinii and Setaria cervi to detect antibodies in filarial patients. The diagnostic potential of the test was investigated in 80 symptomatic cases of filariasis, 40 asymptomatic carriers and 50 normal subjects of an area around Lucknow endemic for Bancroftian filariasis. By the criteria laid down for ELISA positivity for filariasis, 86.2% of the symptomatic cases could be detected by this test. Only four of 40 asymptomatic carriers and one of 50 normal subjects gave a positive ELISA response. Purified antigenic fractions of S. cervi are also promising for detecting asymptomatic carriers.