COPROANTIGENS - EARLY DETECTION AND SUITABILITY OF AN IMMUNODIAGNOSTIC METHOD FOR ECHINOCOCCOSIS IN DOGS

In the present study immunodiagnostic tests for Echinococcus granulosu s-specific coproantigens have been evaluated. The techniques are based on polyclonal antisera collected from dogs experimentally infected wi th E. granulosus protoscoleces. ELISA, Countercurrent immunoelectropho resis (CCIEP) and Immunodot were evaluated for their application in co prodiagnosis. The level of coproantigens was detectable on day 7 post- infection and reached a maximum level on day 56 as detected by ELISA. Very high O.D values were obtained when faecal samples of 7-8 weeks po st-infection were used. Besides this, immunodot and CCIEP were also te sted and the 4th week post-infection samples gave significant reaction s. It is evident from the results that ELISA was more sensitive and de tected the coproantigens as early as the first week post-infection whe reas immunodot and CCIEP detected coproantigens later. The latter meth ods are rapid, cost-effective and can be used to diagnose suspect case s of echinococcosis under field conditions. Thus, it is suggested that future studies should be aimed at early detection of echinococcosis b y a rapid and cost-effective immunodot test. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.