Immunofluorescent studies in filariasis: antibody levels in jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) infected with Brugia malayi.

The indirect fluorescent antibody technique has been applied to detect antibody levels in jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) infected with Brugia malayi. Sonicated antigens were prepared from microfilariae and adult worms. Sonicated microfilariae were found to be satisfactory for this purpose. Cyanogen bromide-activated sepharose coated with soluble antigens prepared from microfilariae and adult worms was also used to detect antibodies to Brugia infections. The present observations show that these techniques can be usefully applied for detention of filarial infections. Antibody titres in infected jirds generally ranged from 1:16-1:256 and were not affected by treatment with diethylcarbamazine.