[Immunodiagnosis of gasterophilosis].

This research focuses on the immunological diagnosis of gasterophilosis, a disease in horses caused by Gasterophilus spp. larvae. It uses several immunotechniques to test for antibodies in infected horses, with positive results across all three techniques.

Research Context

• The study was motivated by the lack of reliable methods for diagnosing gasterophilosis. This disease is caused by the larvae of Gasterophilus spp., a type of botfly, in horses. The current diagnostic methods are not accurate, necessitating the development of an effective immunological diagnosis technique.
• The research examined horses from the G.D.R. and the M.P.R. that were spontaneously infected with Gasterophilus spp. These regions likely have a high prevalence of the disease, making it an ideal setting for the study.

Methodology

• The study employed three immunotechniques to test for the presence of antibodies in the infected horses: counterimmunoelectrophoresis after Pesendorfer, passive haemagglutination, and intradermal tests using antigens made from Gasterophilus spp. larvae.
• Counterimmunoelectrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to detect and identify antibodies or antigens in a patient’s blood. This method involves using an electric field to make the antibodies and antigens move towards each other, leading to accelerated reactions.
• Passive haemagglutination is another laboratory method used to test for the presence of antibodies. It involves mixing red blood cells or other particles with an antigen, leading to the clumping of cells if the patient has the specific antibodies the test is designed to identify.
• The intradermal test uses antigens made from all six Gasterophilus spp. species present in the Palaearctic region. By injecting these antigens into the skin of the horses and observing any reactions, the researchers could gauge the immune response to the larvae.

Results and Observations

• All three immunotechniques used in this study produced positive results, indicating their potential viability for diagnosing gasterophilosis.
• The intradermal injection produced an immediate reaction, showing its potential as a quick and efficient diagnostic tool.
• The research did not find any correlation between the degree of infestation by the Gasterophilus larvae and the intensity of the immune reaction tested. This could suggest that even a small number of larvae can trigger a strong immune response, complicating efforts to diagnose based on severity of infection.