Detection of serum antibodies in rats infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis by indirect fluorescent antibody test

: Frozen section specimens with a thickness of 4 microns were made from adult worms of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in order to detect the serum antibodies in rats infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The results showed that the positive rates of the serum samples 2 and 4 weeks after infection were 92.0% (46/50) and 100%(19/19), respectively. The results of serum samples in healthy rats and normal saline (as control) were negative. This technique proved to have a highly detectable rate and the positive reaction might occur in early infection. It might be used for the early supplementary diagnosis of angiostrongyliasis.