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Serodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis in naturally infected camels

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2003

M. M. IBRAHEM
Affiliation:
Biosciences Research Institute, School of Environment and Life Science, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK Biological Sciences Department, Seventh April University, PO Box 16418, Zawia, Libya
A. RAFIEI
Affiliation:
Para-Medical Faculty, Ahwaz Medical Science University, Ahwaz, Iran
F. K. DAR
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University of United Arab Emirate, Al Ain, UAE
S. M. AZWAI
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry, University of Liverpool, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, El-Fateh University, Tripoli-Libya
S. D. CARTER
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry, University of Liverpool, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
P. S. CRAIG
Affiliation:
Biosciences Research Institute, School of Environment and Life Science, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK

Abstract

An ELISA was developed for serological detection of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dromedary camels. Antigen B (AgB) partially purified from hydatid cyst fluid of camels or sheep naturally infected with cystic echinococcosis (CE) due to E. granulosus, as well as a recombinant antigen B product (r-AgB) were used in an ELISA to screen panels of serum samples from slaughtered camels naturally infected with CE. Native hydatid cyst fluid antigen preparations were able to detect antibodies in sera from a significant proportion of camels with CE, as confirmed at post-mortem. Seroreactivity however, was variable. ELISA specificity for sera from naturally infected camels versus inspection-negative animals ranged from 90 to 99%. Native antigen B gave the highest sensitivity (97%) in ELISA for camel CE confirmed at slaughter. In contrast, r-AgB gave lower sensitivity for camel (84%) and sheep (28%) CE. The r-AgB-ELISA was, however, highly specific (90 and 95%) respectively for both camel and sheep natural CE infection. These results indicate that an ELISA based on serum antibody detection to AgB could be developed for immunodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis in camels.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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