Evaluation of an ELISA to assess the intensity of Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle

Vet Rec. 2008 Jan 26;162(4):109-11. doi: 10.1136/vr.162.4.109.

Abstract

An elisa with a diagnostic sensitivity of 98 per cent and specificity of 96 per cent was evaluated as a means of assessing the intensity of Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle. A total of 294 blood samples were collected from infected cattle at a local abattoir, and the level of infection in each animal was assessed on the basis of the extent of liver pathology and the presence of flukes; 120 blood samples were also collected from uninfected cattle kept on a farm known to be free of F hepatica. The results indicated that there was a significant correlation (P<0.001) between the elisa values and the intensity of infection. Values between 15 and 28 per cent of a positive control sample indicated a low intensity of infection, values between 28 and 50 per cent indicated a medium intensity of infection and values above 50 per cent indicated a high intensity of infection.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood*
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cattle Diseases / immunology
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology
  • Cattle Diseases / pathology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary*
  • Fasciola hepatica / immunology*
  • Fasciola hepatica / isolation & purification
  • Fascioliasis / diagnosis
  • Fascioliasis / immunology
  • Fascioliasis / pathology
  • Fascioliasis / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth