Development and evaluation of a new lateral flow immunoassay for serodiagnosis of human fasciolosis

• Published in: PLoS neglected tropical diseases Vol. 5; no. 11; p. e1376
• Main Authors: Martínez-Sernández, Victoria, Muiño, Laura, Perteguer, María Jesús, Gárate, Teresa, Mezo, Mercedes, González-Warleta, Marta, Muro, Antonio, Correia da Costa, José Manuel, Romarís, Fernanda, Ubeira, Florencio M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01.11.2011; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Antibodies, Helminth - blood; Antigens, Helminth - genetics; Clinical Laboratory Techniques - methods; Diagnosis; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Fasciola hepatica - immunology; Fasciola hepatica - isolation & purification; Fascioliasis - diagnosis; Female; Fluke infections; Humans; Infections; Male; Medicine; Methods; Middle Aged; Parasites; Parasitology - methods; Recombinant Proteins - genetics; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serologic Tests - methods; Spain; Antigens, Helminth; Parasitology; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Sensitivity & Specificity; Humans; Middle Aged; Male; Recombinant Proteins; Fasciola hepatica; Animals; Fascioliasis; Antibodies, Helminth; Adult; Female; Serologic Tests
• ISSN: 1935-2735; 1935-2727; 1935-2735
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001376

Human fasciolosis is a re-emerging disease worldwide and is caused by species of the genus Fasciola (F. hepatica and F. gigantica). Human fasciolosis can be diagnosed by classical coprological techniques, such as the Kato-Katz test, to reveal parasite eggs in faeces. However, although 100% specific, these methods are generally not adequate for detection of acute infections, ectopic infections, or infections with low number of parasites. In such cases immunological methods may be a good alternative and are recommended for use in major hospitals where trained personnel are available, although they are not usually implemented for individual testing. We have developed a new lateral flow test (SeroFluke) for the serodiagnosis of human fasciolosis. The new test was constructed with a recombinant cathepsin L1 from F. hepatica, and uses protein A and mAb MM3 as detector reagents in the test and control lines, respectively. In comparison with an ELISA test (MM3-SERO) the SeroFluke test showed maximal specificity and sensitivity and can be used with serum or whole blood samples. The new test can be used in major hospitals in hypoendemic countries as well as in endemic/hyperendemic regions where point-of-care testing is required.