[Detection of serum antibodies in jirds against antigens of Brugia malayi].

The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) using the infective larva (L3), adult worm (A) and microfilaria (Mf) antigens was applied to detect anti-filarial antibodies in jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) infected with Brugia malayi. The antibodies against L3 appeared within 3 weeks after infection, followed by A and Mf. The serum antibody levels in the jirds with positive infection were compared with those in the jirds with negative infection. Before appearance of microfilaria, there was insignificant difference between these two groups. However, significant difference was observed after the appearance of microfilaria. The method of sonicating L3 and Mf fragment antigens used in this study is simple, and its results are easy to observe.