Differential diagnosis of equine cestodosis based on E/S and somatic Anoplocephala perfoliata and Anoplocephala magna antigens.
Abstract: The tapeworm responsible for equine colic, Anoplocephala perfoliata, is considered the most common intestinal tapeworm of horses worldwide. However, there is evidence that Anoplocephala magna has a similar prevalence in North America and Spain, and possibly in other countries, highlighting the need for diagnostic methods capable of distinguishing between these two species. Currently, immunodiagnosis of A. perfoliata is based on the identification of the 12/13 kDa excretory/secretory (E/S) A. perfoliata immunoreactive antigen, which while apparently specific, has never been tested in sera from A. magna-positive horses. Accordingly, we evaluated the specificity of 12/13 kDa E/S A. perfoliata antigen for the first time by testing this crude antigen against A. magna-positive sera in Western blot. In addition, we characterized a somatic (Som) crude antigen of A. perfoliata and for the first time, the E/S and Som crude antigens of A. magna, evaluating their potential utility for the differential serodiagnosis of equine anoplocephalosis in sera from horses of known parasitic status. SDS-PAGE revealed major low MW bands at: 14 and 12 kDa for E/S and Som-A. magna; 14 and 11 kDa for E/S A. perfoliata; and 11 and 10 kDa for Som-A. perfoliata. Protein regions at 12-14 kDa (E/S A. perfoliata), 10-15 kDa (Som-A. perfoliata) and 10-12 kDa (Som-A. magna) were recognized by Anoplocephala-positive sera at the genus but not the species level. These findings demonstrate cross-reactivity of these unpurified antigenic components, precluding their use in differential diagnosis between A. perfoliata and A. magna. Although these results do not directly indicate cross reactivity at the purified 12/13 kDa component of the E/S A. perfoliata antigen, it is possible that current immunodiagnostic methods based on this component might not accurately differentiate between these two tapeworm species, suggesting erroneous diagnosis of A. perfoliata in areas where A. magna is present.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-06-15 PubMed ID: 22763349DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.06.001Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses a study aiming to test and evaluate the specificity of known and potential antigens, for diagnosing equine cestodosis – a parasitic infection in horses – and distinguishing between two species of tapeworms; Anoplocephala perfoliata, and Anoplocephala magna.
Objective and Background of the Study
- The research was conducted seeing the need to find diagnostic methods that can accurately distinguish between two prevalent tapeworm species in horses – Anoplocephala perfoliata and Anoplocephala magna.
- The usual method of immunodiagnosis for A. perfoliata is done through the identification of a specific 12/13 kDa excretory/secretory (E/S) A. perfoliata immunoreactive antigen.
- This specific antigen, however, had not been tested in sera from horses infected with A. magna.
Methods and Evaluation Process
- The study tested the 12/13 kDa E/S A. perfoliata antigen against A. magna-positive sera for the first time.
- The research also developed and evaluated a new somatic (Som) crude antigen for A. perfoliata, and the E/S and Som crude antigens for A. magna.
- These antigens were all examined for their diagnostic potential at differentiating between the two species in horses with a known parasitic status.
- SDS-PAGE (a laboratory method used to separate proteins based on their molecular weight) revealed major low MW bands corresponding to the different antigens in the two tapeworm species.
Findings
- The research found that these antigenic components demonstrated cross-reactivity, meaning they interacted similarly when compared against the sera of infected horses. Thus, they could not be used to differentiate between the two tapeworm species.
- While the study did not directly indicate cross-reactivity at the purified 12/13 kDa component of the E/S A. perfoliata antigen, it suggests that current immunodiagnostic methods that target this antigen might not be reliable in distinguishing A. perfoliata from A. magna.
Conclusion
- These findings suggest that present diagnostic methods might potentially produce erroneous diagnoses, particularly in areas where A. magna is prevalent.
- Overall, the study underscores the need for more research to improve the diagnostic process and further develop reliable tests that can accurately separate infections between these two equine tapeworm species.
Cite This Article
APA
Bohórquez A, Meana A, Luzón M.
(2012).
Differential diagnosis of equine cestodosis based on E/S and somatic Anoplocephala perfoliata and Anoplocephala magna antigens.
Vet Parasitol, 190(1-2), 87-94.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.06.001 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Helminth / blood
- Antibodies, Helminth / immunology
- Antigens, Helminth / chemistry
- Antigens, Helminth / immunology
- Blotting, Western / standards
- Cestoda / immunology
- Cestoda / isolation & purification
- Cestode Infections / diagnosis
- Cestode Infections / parasitology
- Cestode Infections / veterinary
- Cross Reactions
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Diagnostic Errors
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / standards
- Helminth Proteins / chemistry
- Helminth Proteins / immunology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Species Specificity
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Wang T, Chen X, Yan X, Su Y, Gao W, Liu C, Wang W. Progress in serology and molecular biology of equine parasite diagnosis: sustainable control strategies. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1663577.
- Kukurić T, Erdeljan M, Matthews JB, Lightbody KL, Austin CJ, Peczak N, Uzelac A, Klun I, Simin S. A Prevalence Study on Anoplocephala spp. in Serbian Horses: Navigating Diagnostic Challenges and Understanding Infection Risks. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 16;15(14).
- Burcáková L, Königová A, Kuzmina TA, Austin CJ, Matthews JB, Lightbody KL, Peczak NA, Syrota Y, Várady M. Equine tapeworm (Anoplocephala spp.) infection: evaluation of saliva- and serum-based antibody detection methods and risk factor analysis in Slovak horse populations. Parasitol Res 2023 Dec;122(12):3037-3052.
- Jürgenschellert L, Krücken J, Austin CJ, Lightbody KL, Bousquet E, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Investigations on the occurrence of tapeworm infections in German horse populations with comparison of different antibody detection methods based on saliva and serum samples. Parasit Vectors 2020 Sep 10;13(1):462.
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