Development and application of a dot-ELISA test for the detection of serum antibodies to Fasciola hepatica antigens in llamas

Vet Parasitol. 1995 May;58(1-2):9-15. doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(94)00709-l.

Abstract

A microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) was developed to detect serum antibodies against Fasciola hepatica antigens in llamas. Sera from five F. hepatica-infected and 11 non-infected llamas were used in initial test development. Nitrocellulose filter disks containing F. hepatica excretory-secretory product were placed in 96-well microtiter plates, washed, blocked with Tween-20, then incubated with four-fold serial dilutions of llama sera. After incubation with rabbit anti-llama IgG followed by peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG, addition of precipitable substrate resulted in purple dots on white background (positives) easily read by eye. The technique was further evaluated at titers of 1:512 using an additional six known positive and eight known negative llamas. Test results showed 6/6 known positive as positive and 8/8 known negative as negative. Sera were collected, at approximately weekly intervals, from three llamas experimentally infected with F. hepatica. The dot-ELISA detected antibodies to F. hepatica as early as the second week post-infection in all llamas. In a serologic survey of 256 llamas from an F. hepatica endemic area, the dot-ELISA detected antigen-specific serum antibodies to F. hepatica in 42 (16%) of the llamas. Although no difference was noted in antibody prevalence between sexes, prevalence increased in llamas over 6 months of age.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood*
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology*
  • Camelids, New World / immunology
  • Camelids, New World / parasitology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary*
  • Fasciola hepatica / immunology*
  • Fascioliasis / diagnosis
  • Fascioliasis / epidemiology
  • Fascioliasis / veterinary*
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Oregon / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Antigens, Helminth