Possibilities of the dot-ELISA for the diagnosis of bovine fascioliasis

Abstract

The dot-ELISA technique was evaluated for the detection of F. hepatica antibodies in 57 Hereford cattle sera at slaughterhouse. Secretion/excretion products of adult parasites were used as antigens. 20 steers parasitized with only adult specimens of F. hepatica had antobody titers of 1:32 to 1:256. 15 steers free of F. hepatica, hydatic cyst, Paramphistomum, Moniezia, Oesphagostomum nodules and gastrointestinal nematodes, and 5 steers with only Oesphagostomum nodules, did not react in the dot-ELISA. 5 of 12 steer sera with only hydatic cyst infections reacted positive with F. hepatica antigen, maybe due a presence of residual antibodies or a commonly epitopes(s). It was assayed 12 sera from calves infected with gastrointestinal nematodes (Haemonchus sp. and Ostertagia sp.) and 7 reacted positively to the dot-ELISA reaction and against hidatid cyst. It can not offer reliable conclusion. Repetibility of the essay was good. Dipsticks were more practical than invidual nitrocellulose disks. The specificity of the dot-ELISA for F. hepatica in cattle was quite variable in the conditions of the present study. This characteristic can be improved, something worth trying on account that the assay can be easily performed and has excellent sensitivity.