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Evaluation of an elisa to assess the intensity of Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle
Author(s) -
SalimiBejestani M. R.,
Cripps P.,
Williams D. J. L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.162.4.109
Subject(s) - fasciola hepatica , hepatica , veterinary medicine , fasciola , biology , intensity (physics) , liver fluke , zoology , medicine , helminths , immunology , physics , quantum mechanics
An elisa with a diagnostic sensitivity of 98 per cent and specificity of 96 per cent was evaluated as a means of assessing the intensity of Fasciola hepatica infection in cattle. A total of 294 blood samples were collected from infected cattle at a local abattoir, and the level of infection in each animal was assessed on the basis of the extent of liver pathology and the presence of flukes; 120 blood samples were also collected from uninfected cattle kept on a farm known to be free of F hepatica . The results indicated that there was a significant correlation (P<0·001) between the elisa values and the intensity of infection. Values between 15 and 28 per cent of a positive control sample indicated a low intensity of infection, values between 28 and 50 per cent indicated a medium intensity of infection and values above 50 per cent indicated a high intensity of infection.