Immunodiagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus Infection in Dogs by Indirect-Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay

The present study was undertaken for the detection of Echinococcus granulosus specific antibodies in dogs by indirect-ezyme linked immunosorbent assay. Two different antigens viz., somatic and excretory secretory (E/S) antigens were prepared from E.granulosus adult worm. Totally 250 field dog serum samples were examined for the detection of anti-E.granulosus antibodies using somatic and excretory secretory antigens of E.granulosus. The specific antibodies of E.granulosus to somatic and excretory secretory antigen were detected in 62 (24.8 per cent) and 81 (32.4 per cent) dog serum samples by indirect ELISA. The sensitivity and specificity of indirect ELISA with somatic antigen was found to be 100 and 71.60 per cent respectively. However the sensitivity and specificity of indirect ELISA with excretory secretory antigen was found to be 100 and 79.20 per cent. It was concluded that the indirect-ELISA can be effectively used for specific detection of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs and can be used to ascertain the actual status of the E.granulosus infection in dogs in an endemic area.