A latex agglutination test for the detection of Echinococcus multilocularis coproantigen in the definitive hosts

Vet Parasitol. 2008 Apr 15;152(3-4):278-83. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.12.029. Epub 2008 Jan 3.

Abstract

A latex agglutination test for detecting Echinococcus multilocularis coproantigen in definitive hosts was developed using latex beads sensitized with EmA9 monoclonal antibody raised against somatic antigens of adult E. multilocularis. A primary test (LA 1) was performed on 82 fecal samples of necropsied foxes, of which 46 were infected, and resulted in 61% sensitivity and 86% specificity. To increase the sensitivity, 4 ng/mL of excretory/secretory antigens of adult worms was added to the samples in a secondary test (LA 2), resulting in 91% sensitivity and 61% specificity. The positive predictive value of the LA 1 test and the negative predictive value of the LA 2 test were both 85%. The combination of the LA 1 and LA 2 tests is applicable and practical for use in situations that require quick diagnosis or screening based on the following interpretation: the samples that are positive in the LA 1 test are positive; the samples that are negative in the LA 2 test are negative; and the samples that are negative in the LA 1 test and positive in the LA 2 test are classified as suspicious.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan / isolation & purification*
  • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary
  • Echinococcosis / diagnosis
  • Echinococcosis / veterinary*
  • Echinococcus multilocularis / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Feces / parasitology*
  • Foxes / parasitology*
  • Latex Fixation Tests / methods
  • Latex Fixation Tests / veterinary*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan