Avidez de anticorpos (IgG) anti-Toxocara canis em coelhas infectadas experimentalmente

Abstract

Toxocariasis is an important zoonosis mainly transmitted by ingestion of embryonated T. canis eggs, a parasite of dogs, present in soil. The nematode larvae can migrate by a variety of organs e may cause disturbances, including respiratory, hepatic, neurological, cardiac and ophthalmic problems. Diagnostic of toxocariasis is based on detection of anti-Toxocara antibodies, particularly IgG, by ELISA. Avidity of IgG has been employed in order to evaluate the phase of infection of a disease. However, experimental studies regard to toxocariasis are scarce in literature. This study aimed to evaluate the Toxocara canis-IgG avidity in experimentally infected rabbits, before and after lactation, and of their offsprings. Seventeen nullipar white New Zealand female rabbits were distributed in two groups. In experimentally infected group, 12 animals were inoculated by oral route with 1,000 T. canis embryonated eggs, whereas five animals were uninfected (control group). Blood samples collections were performed on +7, +14, +21 and +28 days post-infection (dpi) and on the first day following the weaning (60 dpi) in order to obtaining serum for ELISA analysis. ELISA indirect test was run in order to obtain the anti- T. canis antibody reactivity index (RI) as well as the avidity index (AI). Seroconversion was observed on 14 dpi, and all the evaluated animals showed a high AI, excepting one animal (on 14 dpi). After the weaning period, all the studied rabbit showed seroconversion. All the studied bunnies were considered positive for ELISA and showed a high AI. Nevertheless, both RI and AI of mothers were significantly higher than their offspring. According to the results, it was possible to demonstrate the vertical transmission of T. canis larvae. In addition, the negative correlation between the RI obtained from the rabbits and the bunnies pointed out the possibility of passive protection due to the maternal transfer of antibodies.