An evaluation of the dot-ELISA procedure as a diagnostic test in an area with a high prevalence of human Toxocara canis infection

• Autores: Bojanich, María Viviana; López, María de los Ángeles; Alonso, José Mario; Marino, Gioia Lucía
• Año de publicación: 2012
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Fuente: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 2012, vol. 107, no. 2, p. 194-197.
• Materia: Toxocara canis; Immunoassay; Serodiagnosis; Dot; ELISA
• Institución: Universidad Nacional del Nordeste

Fil: Bojanich, María Viviana. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina.
Fil: Bojanich, María Viviana. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina.
Fil: López, María de los Ángeles. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina.
Fil: Alonso, José Mario. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina; Argentina.
Fil: Marino, Gioia Lucía. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina.
Fil: López, María de los Ángeles. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina.
The aim of this work was to evaluate a dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) using excretorysecretory antigens from the larval stages of Toxocara canis for the diagnosis of toxocariasis. A secondary aim was to establish the optimal conditions for its use in an area with a high prevalence of human T. canis infection. The dot-ELISA test was standardised using different concentrations of the antigen fixed on nitrocellulose paper strips and increasing dilutions of the serum and conjugate. Both the dot-ELISA and standard ELISA methods were tested in parallel with the same batch of sera from controls and from individuals living in the problem area. The best results were obtained with 1.33 µg/mL of antigen, dilutions of 1/80 for the samples and controls and a dilution of 1/5,000 for the anti-human IgG-peroxidase conjugate. All steps of the procedure were performed at room temperature. The coincidence between ELISA and dot-ELISA was 85% and the kappa index was 0.72. The dot-ELISA test described here is rapid, easy to perform and does not require expensive equipment. Thus, this test is suitable for the serological diagnosis of human T. canis infection in field surveys and in the primary health care centres of endemic regions