Coenuriasis in a spectacled langur (Presbytis obscura): praziquantel treatment and the antibody response to cyst antigens

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1989 May;40(5):514-20. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1989.40.514.

Abstract

A diagnosis of coenuriasis was made in a spectacled langur raised in captivity. Multiple cysts removed from the subcutaneous tissues and later from the abdominal cavity were identified as coenuri, typical of the genus Taenia. Post-surgical treatment of the remaining cysts with praziquantel was assessed with whole body computerized tomography (CT). CT at 6 weeks post-treatment revealed a reduction in size and increased calcification of abdominal cysts as compared to pretreatment CT. Cyst fluid antigens in ELISA assays showed a high titer (1:5, 120) IgG response in the langur serum, while no IgM response could be detected. No decrease in IgG titer was seen 6 weeks after treatment. Immunoblot analyses identified several parasite-specific antigens with apparent molecular weights of greater than 92.5 (3 bands), 88, 41, 37, and 34 kDa.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology
  • Cercopithecidae / parasitology*
  • Cestode Infections / drug therapy
  • Cestode Infections / immunology
  • Cestode Infections / veterinary*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin M / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Monkey Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Monkey Diseases / immunology
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use*
  • Taenia / immunology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Praziquantel