Immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis by determination of the circulating antigens CAA and CCA, in particular in individuals with recent or light infections

In the present paper, we evaluate determination of circulating anodic (CAA) and cathodic (CCA) antigen for the diagnosis of an active Schistosoma infe ction in humans, in comparison to the diagnostic performance of parasitolog ical examination and the demonstration of specific antibodies. Illustrated by three different studies, which all deal with the diagnosis of either rec ent or low intensity infections, we further discuss our experiences with th ese diagnostic methods. For the diagnosis of recent infections, specific an tibody determination showed to be very sensitive, particularly in individua ls originating from non-endemic areas. For the assessment of cure and for t he diagnosis of active infections in endemic areas, the methods of choice a re parasitological examination and CAA or CCA determination. Depending on i nfection levels of the target population and on logistic conditions, CAA an d CCA determination may either replace parasitological examination or, in t he case of light infections, may be used as a complementary diagnostic tool . (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.