Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed for the sero-diagnosis of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infections in rats and man. Metabolic and 'purified' antigens of adult or juvenile A. cantonensis were evaluated by ELISA and compared against Toxocara canis antigen for sensitivity and specificity. Sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from both rats and man gave higher ELISA values against antigens of A. cantonensis than those obtained from negative control samples. The results showed that cross reaction occurred between T. canis and A. cantonensis. Of four A. cantonensis antigens tested, a Sephacryl S-300 'purified' fraction was shown to be superior in the ELISA to determine angiostrongyliasis.