BANCROFTIAN FILARIASIS - PROFILE OF SERUM ANTIFILARIAL ANTIBODY AND CIRCULATING PARASITE ANTIGEN

Forty-five serum specimens collected from persons living in a filaria- endemic community in Maili Nane, Coastal Kenya were analyzed by ELISA for levels of isotype specific antifilarial antibody and by Og4C3 ELIS A for circulating parasite antigen. Mean levels of IgG1, IgG2, and IgG 3 were lower in microfilaraemic persons than ire amicrofilaraemic indi viduals. In contrast, mean levels of antifilarial IgG4 were significan tly higher in microfilaraemic persons (p = 0.0374). Serum samples from all microfilaremic persons were positive for circulating antigen as w ere 15% of samples from amicrofilaremic and asymptomatic persons, The Og4C3 antigen assay may have value as a technique for identifying and targeting communities for control efforts.