Anatomical localization of Gnathostoma spinigerum larval antigens by an indirect fulorescent antibody test.

Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was performed on sections of Gnathostoma spinigerum advanced third-stage larva with gnathostomiasis, angiostrongyliasis, trichinosis, strongyloidiasis and cysticercosis sera. Positive fluorescence was observed with the first three sera. Fluorescence was associated with the anterior part of the esophagus, surface of the cuticle and cytoplasmic granules of the intestine. Absorption of sera with gnathostome antigen did not elicit fluorescence. The results suggest that substances secreted from the esophagus and intestine constitute antigens in excretory-secretory products of the larva.