[Serology of human dirofilariasis]

The development of an immunoenzymatic technique for the detection of specific IgG against Dirofilaria immitis in humans is reported. Two groups of rabbits were used as controls; one of them was hyperimmunized with D. immitis antigens and the other was not inoculated. Subsequently, the reactivity to D. immitis and T. canis of the sera of three patients with pulmonary nodules and 25 apparently healthy individuals was evaluated. In two of the patients with pulmonary nodules the reactivity against D. immitis was significantly higher than that of healthy individuals. Reactivity against T. canis was not found in any case. These initial results seem to indicate that, in the reported conditions, this technique could prevent crossed reactions between D. immitis and T. canis and could help in the differential diagnosis of other causes of pulmonary nodules.