ABSTRACT
An ELISA technique was developed using samples of Schistosoma japonicum-infected human whole blood based on the conventional ELISA. In this study, the following were demonstrated. 1) Whole blood samples could be used. 2) The volume of whole blood and conjugate could be reduced to 0.05 ml. 3) The incubation time was shortened to 5 minutes. 4) The optical density could be measured at 10 minutes after transferring the substrate and the volume was reduced to 0.1 ml. 5) It did not require a fixed temperature setting. 6) The operation time was as short as 20 to 30 minutes. 7) The optical density values were almost the same as the conventional ELISA and were not influenced by other common intestinal helminthic infections. 8) The observed variations from day to day including effects of sampling in stool examination were negated by the results of this ELISA technique. 9) Based on correlation with stool examination results, criteria can be formulated in which optical density values of 0.3 and above as positive, 0.1 to less than 0.3 as doubtful, and less than 0.1 as negative. Whenever an immunological field survey is necessary, before and after a selective or a mass treatment control program, this WHOLE BLOOD-ELISA, which was shown to be rapid and simple, is recommended.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Animals , Antigens, Helminth/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Female , Humans , Male , Mass Screening , Middle Aged , Schistosoma japonicum/immunology , Schistosomiasis/bloodABSTRACT
A descriptive study was carried out on the control of schistosomiasis from the time the disease was discovered in the Philippines in 1906 to the 90s. Some research findings were also reviewed and incorporated in this report and the various control strategies adopted. It is worthwhile to point out that a downward tread in the prevalence of the disease occurred since the discovery of the drug - praziquantel, from an average of 10.4 percent in 1981-1985 to 4.1 percent in 1996. It is recommended that interagency collaboration for the control/elimination of the snail intermediate host of S. japonicum be strengthened and the search for an alternative drug be continued in the event the schistosome parasite becomes resistant to praziquantel. (Author)