Comparative copro-diagnosis of Echinococcus multilocularis in experimentally infected foxes.
Faecal samples from 15 foxes experimentally infected with Echinococcus multilocularis were examined until 90 days post-infection (dpi) by microscopical identification of eggs isolated by flotation/sieving, by coproantigen-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on DNA, respectively, isolated directly from the faecal samples (copro-DNA PCR) and from the eggs obtained by the flotation/sieving procedure (egg-DNA PCR). Based on egg counts, three periods of the infection were defined: pre-patent (2-29 dpi), high patent (30-70 dpi) and low patent periods (71-90 dpi). Whereas all methods were highly sensitive with samples from the high patent period, cELISA was the most sensitive to detect pre-patent infections (63%). Samples from the low patent infections were positive in 77% by microscopy and in 80% by egg-DNA PCR, being significantly more sensitive than cELISA and copro-DNA PCR. The isolation of eggs from the faecal material proved to be more sensitive by the flotation/sieving procedure as compared to the classical concentration McMaster technique.
Al-Sabi'
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MN
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Life Science, Copenhagen University, Dyrlaegevej 100, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Kapel
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CM
Deplazes
P
P
Mathis
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis*; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D048210:Echinococcus multilocularis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005589:Foxes / Q000469:parasitology*; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D018509:DNA, Helminth