Specificity and sensitivity of a rapid dipstick test (Brugia Rapid) in the detection of Brugia malayi infection.
A total of 753 serum samples from 6 institutions in 3 countries (Malaysia, Indonesia and India) were used to evaluate an immunochromatographic rapid dipstick test, Brugia Rapid, for diagnosis of Brugia malayi infection. The samples comprised sera from 207 microfilaria-positive individuals and 546 individuals from filaria non-endemic areas. The latter consisted of 70 individuals with soil-transmitted helminth infections, 68 with other helminth infections, 238 with protozoan infections, 12 with bacterial and viral infections and 158 healthy individuals. The dipstick is prepared with a goat anti-mouse antibody control line and a B. malayi recombinant-antigen test line. First, the dipstick is dipped into a well containing diluted patient serum, thus allowing specific anti-filarial antibody in the serum to react with the recombinant antigen. Then the dipstick is placed into an adjacent well containing reconstituted anti-human IgG4-gold. After 10 min, development of 2 red-purplish lines denotes a positive result and one line indicates a negative reaction. The overall results of the evaluation showed 97% sensitivity, 99% specificity, 97% positive predictive value and 99% negative predictive value. Brugia Rapid is thus a promising diagnostic tool for detection of B. malayi infection, and would be especially useful for the brugian filariasis elimination programme.
Rahmah
N
N
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. rahmah@kb.usm.my
Taniawati
S
S
Shenoy
R K
RK
Lim
B H
BH
Kumaraswami
V
V
Anuar
A K
AK
Hakim
S L
SL
Hayati
M I
MI
Chan
B T
BT
Suharni
M
M
Ramachandran
C P
CP
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D017178:Brugia malayi / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002845:Chromatography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005368:Filariasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000592:standards*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic