Immunodiagnosis of human dirofilariasis in Malaysia - a preliminary study

Abstract

Dirofilaria immitis, the dog heartworm has been reported in humans in the United States of America, Puerto Rico and Japan. This is the first study that is being carried out in Malaysia to identify human infections. The study is based on 300 random blood sera collected from the Blood Bank, General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. A total of 11 positive cases were identified based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the presence of antibodies reactive to polypeptides of D. immitis at MW 212, 116 and 77 kDa on Western Blot analysis.