Excretory/secretory antigens from a bovine filarial parasite cross react with human antifilarial antibodies.

Certain excretory/secretory proteins released by adult females of the bovine filarial parasite, Setaria digitata, along with the release of microfilariae when chromatographically analysed has three major protein fractions of molecular weights 70 kD (ESF1), 16.5 kD (ESF2) and 11 kD (ESF3). Of these ESF2 and ESF3 cross reacted with antibodies from Wuchereria bancrofti infected humans. ESF2 was more specific and accurate in detecting human filarial infection. Similar proteins secreted by human filarial parasites could be targets for combating the disease by cure or control.