Evaluation of Fas2-ELISA for the serological detection of Fasciola hepatica infection in humans
Espinoza, J.R.; Maco, V.; Marcos, L.; Saez, S.; Neyra, V.; Terashima, A.; Samalvides, F.; Gotuzzo, E.; Chavarry, E.; Huaman, M.C.; Bargues, M.D.; Valero, M.A.; Mas-Coma, S.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 76(5): 977-982
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 17488926 Document Number: 613969
The performance of Fas2-ELISA for the diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica infection in children living in areas of high endemicity for fascioliasis in the Peruvian Andes is analyzed. Fas2-ELISA is based on the detection of circulating IgG antibodies elicited in infected individuals against a F. hepatica antigen termed Fas2. The study was conducted in three Andean localities, Huertas-Julcan in Junin, Asillo in Puno, and Cajamarca, with a total population of 634 children in an age range 1 to 16 years old. Child fascioliasis prevalence was 21.1% in Huertas-Julcan, 25.4% in Asillo, and 24% in Cajamarca, estimated by coprological inspection. The seroprevalence of F. hepatica infection, determined by Fas2-ELISA, was 27.8% in Huertas-Julcan, 44.6% in Asillo, and 29.1% in Cajamarca. The overall sensitivity of Fas2-ELISA was 92.4%, the specificity 83.6%, and the negative predictive value 97.2%. No association between OD(450) Fas2-ELISA and infection intensity measured by egg counting was observed. Results show that Fas2-ELISA is a highly sensitive immunodiagnostic test for the detection of F. hepatica infection in children living in human fascioliasis endemic areas.