A Note On Survival Of Infective Stage Larva Of Gnathostoma Spp. In BME Culture Medium

Dear editor, human gnathostomiasis in an important tropical parasitic infection ( 1). The major manifestation as nodular migratory eosinophilic panniculitis is suggested for this disease. More severe presentations, resulting from visceral larva migran, such as ocular and CNS gnathostomiasis are also reported. The diagnosis is confirmed by identification of the parasite from the pathological specimen. However, it is difficult to get the histological diagnosis, therefore, the immunological diagnosis for this infection is necessary. At present, Gnathostoma spinigerum third stage larvae (L3) antigen is necessary for Western blot analysis in the diagnosis of Gnathostomiasis ( 2 , 3). Acid pepsin solution is required for digestion of eel's liver (Fluta alba) to yield the larvae for antigen preparation. However, the specific antigen is excretion secretory (ES) antigen, which can be derived from viable larva. Since the larva start to degenerate within a short period, therefore, the larva derived from digestion must be used before its death. Here, we reported our result in using the BME culture medium for cultivation of the derived larva to prolong the period of usage of the harvested larva in antigen preparation.