Highly specific and sensitive anti-Strongyloides venezuelensis IgY antibodies applied to the human strongyloidiasis immunodiagnosis

This study aimed to produce and fractionate IgY antibodies from the egg yolks of hens that were immunized with the total antigenic extracts of Strongyloides venezuelensis infectious filariform larvae (iL3) and parthenogenetic females (pF). IgY antibodies were then evaluated by their recognition of antigenic proteins, evolutive helminth forms, and serological diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis by the detection of immune complexes in serum samples. Egg yolks were fractionated to obtain IgY antibodies by thiophilic interaction chromatography. Immune complex detection in serum samples showed diagnostic values for anti-iL3 IgY and anti-pF IgY antibodies at 95.56% and 88.89% sensitivity and 95.56% and 91.11% specificity, respectively. Therefore, IgY technology is a promising tool for the detection of blood circulating Strongyloides antigens, with possible application as a serological diagnostic method.Graphical abstract
Source: Parasitology International - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research