Nitrocellulose cassettes [NCC] as a field applicable technique for rapid and effective diagnosis of schistosomiasis and fascioliasis

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to evaluate the use of nitrocellulose cassettes [NCC] as a qualitative serological test for rapid diagnosis of some parasitic infections mainly human schistosomiasis and fascioliasis. The NCC technique was compared with conventional EL- ISA for detection of antigens and/or antibodies in the patient's sera. Based on the detection of circulating, Schistosoma antigens [CSA] using anti-Srnansoni SEA Mab, the sensitivity was 97.5% and 100% for ELISA and NCC respectively while the specificity was 95.1% and 100% for c.ELISA and NCC respectively. On the other hand, when cELISA was used for detection of species-specific antibodies in sera of each parasitic group, the sensitivity of the technique was 94.7% and 91.6% while the specificity was 92.8% and 97.5% for schistosomiasis and fascioliasis respectively. However, the use of NCC technique improved both sensitivity and specificity of specific antibodies detection. The sensitivity was 97.3% and 95.8% while the specificity was 96.2% and 98.7% for schistosomiasis and fascioliasis respectively In Conclusion; NCC was found to be a qualitative, rapid, easy to read diagnostic test showing great sensitivity and specificity and could be a promising field applicable tool for multiple diagnosis of parasitic infections