title: Detection of Giardia duodenalis antigen in coprolites using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
abstract: The objective of this experiment was to assess the utility of a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for diagnosis of giardiasis in archaeological human remains. The kit, a monoclonal antibody assay, is used to detect the presence of Giardia-specific antigen 65 (GSA65) in human faeces. We utilized the assay in ancient faecal material. The material included desiccated faeces found in mummies or in archaeological sites, and sediments from latrines. A total of 83 specimens, previously examined microscopically for parasites, were examined. The ELISA detected 3 positive samples, dated to about 1200 AD, 1600 AD and 1700 AD. The ELISA was superior to direct observation. It was possible to identify G. duodenalis cysts by direct microscopy in only one of these samples. The results did not show cross-reactivity between this protozoan and helminths. The use of ELISA to detect G. duodenalis coproantigen could help the diagnosis of giardiasis in ancient human remains.
authors.affiliation: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Luiz Carvalho
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Adauto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Rosemere
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Joaquim Pereira
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reinhard
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bouchet
authors.forename: Luiz Fernando
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005872:Giardia / Q000276:immunology*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D010164:Paleopathology
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan