Evaluation of visceral larva migrans by radioimmunoassay systems

A 9-year-old child with miliary pulmonary infiltrates, eosinophilia, and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E recovered rapidly cover a four-week period. Subsequent analysis of serum samples by a solid phase radioimmunoassay technique demonstrated IgM, IgE, and IgG antibodies to Ascaris suum antigen which declined following the acute phase of the illness in parallel with a decline in serum IgM, IgE, and IgG concentrations. Precipitating antibodies in serum against Ascaris antigen were demonstrated. The diagnosis is considered to be toxocariasis or ascariasis. The application of sensitive radioimmunoassay techniques of this type should provide a method of earlier diagnosis and the demonstration of rapidly changing antibody levels a method of confirming the diagnosis in parasitic diseases.