title: Evaluation of the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) for ovine hydatidosis relative to age and cyst characteristics in naturally infected sheep.
abstract: An enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) for ovine echinococcosis was evaluated in an endemic area of the Peruvian central sierra. An overall test sensitivity of 91.4% was determined for 199 sheep. EITB sensitivity reached a plateau of nearly 100% at 3 years of age, while the prevalence of cystic disease peaked at 95% in sheep >/=6 years of age. In this highly endemic area, 61.7% of sheep without detectable cystic disease at necropsy (n=47) had positive EITB results. Relationships between EITB sensitivity, age, and cyst location, size, number, type, fertility, and viability were evaluated with logistic regression models. EITB sensitivity increased 14-fold in sheep with calcified cysts and 4-fold for each 1cm increase in pulmonary cyst size.
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. edueger@jhsph.edu
authors.forename: Erica L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Dueger
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verastegui
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gilman
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary*; D015151:Immunoblotting / Q000662:veterinary*; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology