Ultrastructural Localization of Toxocara canis Larval Antigen Reacted with a Seropositive Human Serum

Abstract

Excretory-secretory products of Toxocara canis larvae have been considered as a major functional antigen in immune responses against toxocariasis. We studied ultrastructural localization of T. canis second-stage larval antigen using a seropositive human serum under immunogold electron microscopy. High-density gold particles were observed in the secretory cells, excretory duct, intestinal epithelium, and cuticle of the larval worm sections. The distribution of the positive reactions in the larval worms suggests that the nature of the antigen is excretory-secretory antigen including waste metabolites and secretory enzymes.