Investigation of Anti-ToxocaraAntibodies in Epileptic Patients and Comparison of Two Methods: ELISA and Western Blotting

摘要

The relationship betweenToxocarainfection and epilepsy was previously demonstrated by several case-control studies and case reports. These previous studies were often based on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) usingToxocaraexcretory-secretory antigens, which are not specific due to cross-reactivity with other parasitic infections such as ascariasis, trichuriasis, and anisakiasis. An immunoblot analysis is highly specific and can detect low levels ofToxocaraantibodies. Therefore, this assay may be useful in the identification of toxocariasis in epileptic patients. We examined patients who had epilepsy and healthy subjects for seropositivity forToxocarainfection by ELISA and Western blotting. Out of 85 epileptic patients, 10 (11.8%) and 3 (3.5%) persons exhibitedToxocaraimmunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies responses by ELISA and by both techniques, respectively. Moreover, in the healthy group (n=85), 3 (3.5%) persons were positive by ELISA, but none was detected by Western blotting. This study indicates thatToxocarainfection is a risk factor for epilepsy in Iran. These findings strongly suggest the need to perform Western blotting immunodiagnosis, as well as the ELISA usingToxocaraexcretory-secretory antigens, to improve diagnosis of human toxocariasis in patients with epilepsy.