Title: Characterization of somatic antigens of adult Toxocara canis by western blotting
Abstract: Aim:The objective of this study was characterize the somatic soluble antigens of adult Toxocara canis (Tc-SA) by western blotting.Materials and Methods: T. canis worms were collected from the naturally infected pups after deworming.The somatic antigen was prepared as per standard procedure with slight modification.These antigens were separated using Sodium dodecyl sulphate-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).The specific reactivity of the Tc-SA proteins was checked against the serum of naturally infected dogs as well with the hyperimmune serum raised in the rabbit by western blotting.Results: On SDS-PAGE recovered proteins ranged in size from 44 to 300 kDa.The immuno-reactivity of the naturally infected dog sera with the Tc-SA antigens showed 12 prominent immunoreactive bands of distinct sizes at 28.61, 32.60, 38.10, 43.04, 49.99, 67.57, 73.22, 105.77, 144.74, 161.11, 177.84 and 196.31 kDa.The immuno-reactivity of the hyper immune serum raised in rabbits against Tc-SA antigens was observed with 10 prominent bands of distinct sizes at 17.11, 24.15, 34.83, 43.46, 52.47, 55.89, 67.57, 70, 74.60 and 105.6 kDa.Conclusions: Common antigens band were observed at 67 and 105 kDa.These antigens merit further evaluation as candidate for use in diagnosis of toxocarosis in humans and adult dogs.