Antibodies to Antigens of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the Sera of Infested Sheep: A Serological Technique for the Detection of Screwworm Myiasis

Antibodies to screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), antigens are found in serum of previously infested host sheep and for at least one month after infestation. ELISA provides a serological technique for detecting previous exposure to screwworm in noninfested hosts. The technique is adaptable to a field situation and has potential as a method for screening noninfested hosts for indirectly estimating infestation rates.