title: Modification of the FAST-ELISA for field diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni with serum or blood samples.
abstract: Using well-characterized serum pools from patients (with schistosomiasis mansoni), we modified the FAST-ELISA system for detecting serum antibodies to Schistosoma mansoni for field use. We found little or no change in test function or results when the test was run 1) with blood instead of serum, 2) after addition of sodium azide preservation to diluted and lysed blood specimens, 3) using impure water in wash steps, and 4) without a spectrophotometer (i.e., read with the naked eye). Our evaluation of the modified FAST-ELISA showed that it can be successfully used under the restraints of minimally equipped field laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta.
authors.forename: F O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hancock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D001386:Azides; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000276:immunology*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019810:Sodium Azide
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D001386:Azides; D019810:Sodium Azide