Sensitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to Measure Parasite-Specific Antibodies of Indian Soft-Furred Rats, Millardia meltada

Abstract

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) of Indian soft-furred rat, Millardia meltada. was purified by an immunoaffinity chromatography and antibodies against it was raised in rabbit. Using this rabbit anti M. meltada IgG antibody, sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure parasite-specific antibodies in the sera of M. meltada was markedly enhanced than the previous method using rabbit anti-mouse IgG and rabbit anti-rat IgG antibodies, which could cross-react to M. meltada IgG. Since M. meltada could effectively produce circulating antibodies against two intestinal helminths, Strongyloides venezuelensis and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, the high susceptibility of this animal to an array of parasites seems to be not due to general immunological deficiency.