NOVEL PROTEIN FROM DIROFILARIA IMMITIS AND METHOD FOR IMMUNODIAGNOSIS OF HEARTWORM IN MAMMALS

摘要

In accordance with the present invention, a 31-33 kDa glycoprotein of D. immitis (DiT33) is provided which represents another member of the family of putative pepsin inhibitors. Other known members include Ov33 (a.k.a. Ov33.3, Oc3.6, OvD 5B), Bm33 and Av33. These filarial molecules possess significant homology to the known pepsin inhibitor (Aspi3) of A. suum. Using DiT33 or Ov33, in the form of a recombinant fusion or non-fusion protein, antibody responses to DiT33 may be monitored and used in immunodiagnosis of heartworm infection in mammals. Antibodies reactive with the DiT33 or Ov33 may also be used to detect DiT33 antigen as a means of immunodiagnosis of heartworm infection in mammals.