monoclonal antibody-based latex agglutination test for detection of circulating schistosomal antigens in human schistosomiasis maizsoni

ABSTRACT

Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem with a worldwide distribution, Diagnosis of this disease by simple and rapid immunoassays is a priority. The objective of the present study was to standardize and evaluate the latex agglutination test [LAT] as a simple test for the detection of circulating schistosomal antigen [CSA] in serum and urine samples of S. mansoni patients and compare it with ELISA. According to stool examination this study included, 52 S. mansoni infected patients, 20 other parasites infected patients and 20 negative control samples. A polystyrene latex [0.81 micro m] suspension was used as a carrier particle for anti-S. mansoni adult worm tegumental antigen monoclonal antibody [l2D/10F] in the test. The Latex particles sensitized with MAb were used for the detection of CSA in urine and serum samples. The sensitivity of LAT assay was 88.5% in urine and 86.6% in sera versus 90, 4% and 92.3% for ELISA. The specificity of LAT assay was 90% and 95% for urine and sera versus 85% and 95% for ELISA. The diagnostic efficacy of EAT was 89.1% and 90.2b for urine and serum samples, respectively versus 88% and 93.5% for ELISA. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between ova count in stool of S. mansoni infected patients and both the intensity of LAT and OD readings of ELISA in urine [r= 0.922; p< 0.001 and r= 0.865; p< 0.001, respectively] and in serum [r=0.847; p< 0.001 and r= 0.781; p< 0.001, respectively]. In conclusion, LAT is a suitable applicable diagnostic method in field survey especially when followed by ELISA as a confirmatory test in query false negative results. In the same time, more trials are required to increase the sensitivity and specificity of LAT to allow its use on a large scale in field surveys and as diagnostic kits for multiple parasitic infections