B ayesian modelling to estimate the test characteristics of coprology, coproantigen ELISA and a novel real‐time PCR for the diagnosis of taeniasis

Objective To estimate and compare the performances of coprology, copro‐Ag ELISA and real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay (copro‐ PCR ) for detection of T aenia solium tapeworm carriers. Methods The three diagnostic tests were applied on 817 stool samples collected in two Z ambian communities where taeniasis is endemic. A B ayesian approach was used to allow estimation of the test characteristics. Two (0.2%; 95% Confidence Interval ( CI ): 0–0.8), 67 (8.2%; 95% CI : 6.4–10.3) and 10 (1.2%; 95% CI : 0.5–2.2) samples were positive using coprology, copro‐ Ag ELISA and copro‐ PCR , respectively. Results Specificities of 99.9%, 92.0% and 99.0% were determined for coprology, copro‐ Ag ELISA and copro‐ PCR , respectively. Sensitivities of 52.5%, 84.5% and 82.7% were determined for coprology, copro‐ Ag ELISA and copro‐ PCR , respectively. Conclusions We urge for additional studies exploring possible cross‐reactions of the copro‐ Ag ELISA and for the use of more sensitive tests, such as copro‐ PCR , for the detection of tapeworm carriers, which is a key factor in controlling the parasite in endemic areas.