Use of a recombinant antigen (OC 3.6 cDNA) for the serological diagnosis of onchocerciasis in exposed Nigerian children

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Title:	Use of a recombinant antigen (OC 3.6 cDNA) for the serological diagnosis of onchocerciasis in exposed Nigerian children
Authors:	Ogunrinade, A.F. Chandrashekar, R. Weil, G.J.
Year:	1992
Periodical:	Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
Volume:	38
Issue:	3
Pages:	103-105
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subject:	blindness
External link:	http://tropej.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/38/3/103
Abstract:	The most serious limitation to serodiagnosis of onchocerciasis is the occurrence of cross-reactions with other filarids and other nematodes. Recombinant antigens are being explored as a ready source of antigen and for possible improvement of the sensitivity and specificity of serological assays. The authors evaluated a recombinant antigen (OC 3.6 cDNA) for the diagnosis of onchocerciasis in children living in an endemic focus of forest-type onchocerciasis in Nigeria. Sera were obtained from 45 children aged 8-12 years attending a primary school in Jago near Ibadan. Using the Western blot with the maltose-binding fusion protein as antigen, 91 percent of mf-positive children and 24 percent of endemic normal children were positive. Furthermore, age was not a limitation to the assay. The practical limitations of the assay for field diagnosis of onchocerciasis are discussed. Ref.