An evaluation of 4 commercially available ELISA kits for the diagnosis of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs.
Serum samples from 100 pound dogs were used to evaluate 4 commercial ELISA kits available for the diagnosis of Dirofilaria immitis. The kits were assessed on sensitivity (the ability to identify infected dogs), specificity (the ability to identify uninfected dogs) and accuracy (sensitivity plus specificity). The kits varied in sensitivity from 36% to 86%, in specificity from 44% to 70%, and in accuracy from 53% to 65%. The sensitivity was not affected by the age of the dogs, nor by the number of circulating microfilariae. The kits were most specific when testing the youngest dogs (less than = 3 years). The problems associated with the serological diagnosis of D. immitis infection in practice are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000662:veterinary
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic