Using Antibodies against Tegument Antigens for Copro-ELISA to Detect Echinococcus granulosus in Dogs

The study was aimed at determining whether antibodies against worm tegument antigens can be used for copro-ELISA to detect Echinococcus granulosus in dogs.In order to produce specific antibodies used for sandwich(copro)-ELISA,we isolated antigens from E.granulosus adult worm tegument.The proteins were used to immunize mice,rabbits and sheep to generate antibodies.ELISA and Western blot analysis were used to identify antigenicity and quality of the serum antibodies.Immunohistochemistry was used to indentify the localization of the proteins in the parasite.Copro-ELISA was used to determine the specificity of the immunodiagnosis for detecting E.granulosus.infection in dogs.Serum titer analysis showed that E.granulosus tegument antigens were antigenic with serum titers reaching to 1:(80 000-320 000) by ELISA.The antibodies recognized antigens from different stages of the parasite.Immunolocalization analysis revealed that the antigens located in the tegument of adult E.granulosus.The antibodies specifically recognized the antigens from E.granulosus with no reaction to the proteins isolated from Multiceps multicepes and T.hydatigena.The results suggest that E.granulosus tegument antigens are a source of antigens for generating antibodies for copro-ELISA to detect the worm antigens in dog feces.