Evaluation of specific humoral immune responses in human filariasis.

Using the antigens prepared from adult worms of B. malayi and D. immitis, a total of 37 malayan and 150 bancroftian serum samples were analysed for the presence of filarial specific antibodies by counterimmunoelectrophoresis and indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. It was observed that microfilaraemic cases do show good specific humoral immune responses against homologous as well as heterologous antigen. Of the two antigens used, B. malayi adult antigen was found to be superior to D. immitis antigen in the detection of filarial antibodies.