title: Bayesian modelling to estimate the test characteristics of coprology, coproantigen ELISA and a novel real-time PCR for the diagnosis of taeniasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate and compare the performances of coprology, copro-Ag ELISA and real-time polymerase chain reaction assay (copro-PCR) for detection of Taenia solium tapeworm carriers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The three diagnostic tests were applied on 817 stool samples collected in two Zambian communities where taeniasis is endemic. A Bayesian approach was used to allow estimation of the test characteristics. Two (0.2%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0-0.8), 67 (8.2%; 95% CI: 6.4-10.3) and 10 (1.2%; 95% CI: 0.5-2.2) samples were positive using coprology, copro-Ag ELISA and copro-PCR, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Specificities of 99.9%, 92.0% and 99.0% were determined for coprology, copro-Ag ELISA and copro-PCR, respectively. Sensitivities of 52.5%, 84.5% and 82.7% were determined for coprology, copro-Ag ELISA and copro-PCR, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We urge for additional studies exploring possible cross-reactions of the copro-Ag ELISA and for the use of more sensitive tests, such as copro-PCR, for the detection of tapeworm carriers, which is a key factor in controlling the parasite in endemic areas.
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Praet
authors: Jaco J
authors: JJ
authors: Verweij
authors: Kabemba E
authors: KE
authors: Mwape
authors: Isaac K
authors: IK
authors: Phiri
authors: John B
authors: JB
authors: Muma
authors: Gideon
authors: G
authors: Zulu
authors: Lisette
authors: L
authors: van Lieshout
authors: Richar
authors: R
authors: Rodriguez-Hidalgo
authors: Washington
authors: W
authors: Benitez-Ortiz
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Dorny
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Gabriël
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis*; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041202:Taenia saginata / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D041201:Taenia solium / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013622:Taeniasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015024:Zambia
chemical_list: D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D017931:DNA Primers