An enzyme linked immunotransfer blot assay (EITB) was used in order to characterize reactivity against Trichinella spiralis crude muscle larval antigen (CMLA) in the pooled sera from experimentally infected rats undergoing the early phase of infection. Comparison of the dynamics and antigen recognition profiles of antibodies during the early phase of infection was undertaken in this study. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed antibody increase on day 10 post-infection (PI). The mean antibody levels reached a peak on day 14 PI then decreased on day 16 PI and rose again thereafter on day 18 PI. Antigen recognition profile as measured by EITB assay showed three polypeptide bands at molecular weights of 33.6, 38.8 and 43.5 KDa that were specific for the early phase of trichinellosis. EITB could detect the infection four days earlier than ELISA where, two out of the three specific polypeptide bands of T. spiralis CMLA (33.6 and 38.8 KDa) were recognized beginning 6 and 8 days PI, respectively. The advantage that could provide a potentially useful diagnostic tool contributing to surveillance and control of the disease