Detection of filarial antibodies in Malayan and Bancroftian filariasis by the indirect fluorescent antibody test, using different filarial antigens.

Indirect fluorescent antibody tests (IFAT) using Wuchereria bancrofti infective larvae as antigen had the highest positivity rates in detecting Malayan and Bancroftian filariasis as compared to IFAT using antigens prepared from 5 other animal filarial species, Brugia pahangi, Dirofilaria immitis, Dipetalonema viteae, Litomosoides carinii and Onchocerca gutturosa. This study also recommends the use of human filarioids as the source of antigen in serological tests. However, before B. malayi and especially W. bancrofti can be easily available from the common laboratory animals. B. pahangi seems to be a suitable source of antigen for use in serological tests for human lymphatic filariasis.