Diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis by immunofluorescence using microfilariae as antigen.

A new technique for the diagnosis of wuchereriasis is described. Microfilariae treated with proteolytic enzyme were used as antigen for the immunofluorescent reaction. The specificity of the reaction is demonstrated in sera from persons who have a microfilariaemia, individuals with clinical symptoms of the disease but no microfilariaemia, those who have no clinical symptoms, but harbour other parasites, and in persons living in France, where the Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis is absent.