WHOLE-BLOOD, SERUM, AND TISSUE FLUIDS IN AN ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY FOR SWINE TRICHINOSIS

Two enzyme immunoassays (EIA) for trichinellosis in swine (a research version and a commercial kit obtained from LMD Agro-Vet) were used to test pig whole blood, serum, and tissue fluids as sample sources. Five pigs inoculated with 2,500 Trichinella spiralis were bled weekly and then sacrificed after 42 days. Blood and serum samples from each sampl ing time and tissue fluids collected at slaughter were tested in both EIA formats. Whether samples were undiluted or diluted, blood could be used as effectively as serum for detecting pigs infected with T. spir alis. Further, it was as effective to use tissue fluids as either bloo d or serum. With both tests, the research and commercial versions, it is possible to detect infected pigs by 28 days following infection. Th e results of this study suggest that a rapid EIA test such as the LMD Agro-Vet Trichinella Serology Microwell ELISA can be used as an effect ive tool for testing pigs for trichinellosis on the farm. Additionally , because it can enable the detection of antibodies in tissue fluids, this test could be used effectively to determine trichinellosis in mea t samples following slaughter.