[Use of microfilaria treated with papain in the serodiagnosis of lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti (Var. pacifica)].

A standardised method for serodiagnosis of lymphatic filariasis W. bancrofti (var. pacifica) was performed. The authors used indirect fluorescent assay with papain treated microfilariae as source of antigen. Very high levels of antibodies were obtained in 96% microfilaremic patients. The geometric mean titers were 22.7 for healthy subjects and 605.5 for the filariasis patients. Cross reactivity was studied with two subcutaneous and one lymphatic filariasis. The geometric mean titers were 211.1 for Onchocerca volvulus, 105.6 for Loa-loa and 254 for Brugia malayi patients. No significant reactivity was observed with some other parasites.