Objective: To evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of immunodiagnosis with the antigen with molecular mass of 32 000 of Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis(AC32).
Methods: The major antigenic protein AC32 was purified from the antigens of A.cantonensis adult worm by electroelution from SDS-polyacrylamide gels. AC32-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and adult worm antigen (AWA)-ELISA were used to detect the specific IgG in the sera of normal rats (n=5) and rats with angiostrongyliasis (n=61), sera of healthy individuals (n=50) and patients (n=50) with angiostrongyliasis, schistosomiasis and other parasitosis.
Results: The positivity rate in AC32-ELISA of the sera from rats with angiostrongyliasis was 100%; without false positive results or cross reaction between AC32 and the sera of the normal control and patients infected with parasites other than A.cantonensis.
Conclusion: AC32 of A.cantonensis is a valuable candidate antigen for immunodiagnosis of angiostrongyliasis with high sensitivity and specificity.