Interlaboratory optimization and evaluation of a serological assay for diagnosis of human baylisascariasis.
A Western blot assay using a recombinant protein, recombinant Baylisascaris procyonis RAG1 protein (rBpRAG1), was developed for the diagnosis of human baylisascariasis concurrently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, and the National Reference Centre for Parasitology (NRCP) in Montreal, Canada. Assay performance was assessed by testing 275 specimens at the CDC and 405 specimens at the NRCP. Twenty specimens from 16 cases of baylisascariasis were evaluated. Eighteen were positive, with the assay correctly identifying 14 of 16 patients. The rBpRAG1 Western blot assay showed no cross-reactivity with Toxocara-positive serum and had an overall sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 98%.
Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Lisa N
LN
Rascoe
Cynthia
C
Santamaria
Sukwan
S
Handali
Sriveny
S
Dangoudoubiyam
Kevin R
KR
Kazacos
Patricia P
PP
Wilkins
Momar
M
Ndao
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D017191:Ascaridida Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001199:Ascaridoidea / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods*; D002170:Canada; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods
D000947:Antigens, Helminth