DETECTION OF ECHINOCOCCUS COPROANTIGENS BY ENZYME- LINKED IMMUOSORBENT ASSAY IN DOGS FROM THE NORTH- VEST OF ROMANIA

Abstract

A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of Echinococcus coproantigens in faecal samples from dogs in Satu Mare district. In view of the considerable public health significance of Echinococcus granulosus, the causative agent of the human cystic hydatidosis, there is an urgent need in Romania for reliable and simple techniques for the diagnosis of the infection in individual dogs. This technique should be considered as very important in implemention of the immunologic diagnosis tests in the control programmes of hydatidosis. The aim of this study was to underline the easy application of the ELISA test Chekit Echinotest (Bommeli, Liebefeld-Bern, Switzerland) and to estimate the prevalence of Echinococcus spp. infection in dogs from four rural regions in Satu-Mare. The studies were performed in October 2005 and July 2006 at the Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Department of the Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Direction, Satu-Mare. 40 dog faeces were collected from the field or from rectum, and examined using the sandwich ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The overall prevalence was 12,5%, respectively five dogs were found positive to Echinococcus spp.