The somatic proteins of Toxocara canis larvae and excretory-secretory products revealed by proteomics

[Display omitted] •582 proteins were identified in larval extract and 64 inTES proteins of Toxocara canis.•Identified proteins included immunomodulatory molecules.•There are proteins involved in evasion mechanisms and those that may be involved in parasite pathogenicity.•Were identified molecules with potential for therapeutic, diagnostics methods and vaccines. Toxocariasis is a widespread helminth infection of dogs and cats, caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati larvae, respectively. Toxocara spp. can cause zoonotic infections in humans by invading tissues and organs causing pathology. Toxocara spp. larvae release excretory-secretory molecules (TES) into the body of their host that are fundamental to the host-parasite interaction and could be used as targets for novel diagnostics and vaccines. In the present study, we identified 646 T. canis proteins from TES and larval extract using 1D-SDS PAGE followed by mass spectrometry. A wide range of proteins was identified that may play a role both in the induction of the host immune response and host pathology, and in parasite metabolism and survival. Among these proteins there are potential candidates for novel diagnostics and vaccines for dogs and cats toxocariases.