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Veterinary parasitology2010; 172(3-4); 249-255; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.05.005

Evaluation of diagnostic techniques for Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses from Alberta, Canada.

Abstract: Accurate diagnosis of parasites within individual hosts remains a difficult task. Incorrect and/or inaccurate diagnosis restricts the potential for targeted treatment of individuals and limits our understanding of key epidemiological characteristics of potential pathogens of domestic stock. In this study, we compared the specificity and sensitivity of four diagnostic methods for determination of the presence and intensity of the cestode Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses. Over 400 horses from an abattoir in south-central Alberta were evaluated for the presence and number of cestodes. Thirty one horses were infected with 1 to >1000 worms. Diagnosis based upon faecal egg counts of horses with known numbers of worms was least accurate in detecting worm presence. Detection of circulating antibodies to the cestode was most sensitive using Western blot analysis (100%), but had lower specificity (87%). A serum-based ELISA had a lower sensitivity (70%) for detection of antibodies. A coproantigen ELISA had 74% sensitivity and 92% specificity, and there was a positive correlation between antigen concentration and tapeworm intensity. The coproantigen ELISA may have the potential as a diagnostic tool for determining the presence and intensity of this potentially pathogenic cestode.
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Publication Date: 2010-05-12 PubMed ID: 20605685DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.05.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Evaluation Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper presents a comparative study of four different methods used to detect the presence and intensity of parasitic cestodes (Anoplocephala perfoliata) in horses. The results indicate that the coproantigen ELISA technique shows promising accuracy in diagnosing these parasites.

Study Objective

  • The aim of the study was to compare four different diagnostic methods used to determine the presence and intensity of Anoplocephala perfoliata, a type of cestode parasite, in horses. Accurate diagnosis is crucial to targeted treatment and for understanding the epidemiology of potential pathogens in domestic animals.

Methodology

  • Over 400 horses from a slaughterhouse in Alberta, Canada, were evaluated for the presence and number of cestodes. Thirty one of these horses were found to have 1 to over 1000 worms.
  • The efficacy of four diagnostic methods was compared: faecal egg counts, detection of circulating antibodies with Western blot analysis, a serum-based ELISA, and a coproantigen ELISA.

Results

  • The diagnostic method based on faecal egg counts was found to be least accurate in detecting the presence of the worms.
  • Western blot analysis, used for detecting circulating antibodies to the cestode, was the most sensitive method but had lower specificity.
  • The serum-based ELISA had lower sensitivity compared to Western blot analysis, but the specificity was not mentioned.
  • The coproantigen ELISA method showed 74% sensitivity and 92% specificity, and a positive correlation was found between antigen concentration and tapeworm intensity.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that the coproantigen ELISA might be an effective diagnostic tool for determining the presence and intensity of Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses. However, the relative strengths and weaknesses of each method should be taken into account in different diagnostic contexts.
  • The findings of the research increase our knowledge about the diagnostic methods for cestode infestations in horses, which could ultimately lead to improved treatment strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Skotarek SL, Colwell DD, Goater CP. (2010). Evaluation of diagnostic techniques for Anoplocephala perfoliata in horses from Alberta, Canada. Vet Parasitol, 172(3-4), 249-255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.05.005

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 172
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 249-255

Researcher Affiliations

Skotarek, S L
  • University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3R 1J3. sskotarek@hotmail.com
Colwell, D D
    Goater, C P

      MeSH Terms

      • Alberta
      • Animals
      • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
      • Blotting, Western / veterinary
      • Cestoda / immunology
      • Cestode Infections / diagnosis
      • Cestode Infections / veterinary
      • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
      • Feces / parasitology
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horses
      • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
      • Parasitology / methods
      • Sensitivity and Specificity
      • Veterinary Medicine / methods

      Citations

      This article has been cited 7 times.
      1. Matthews JB, Peczak N, Lightbody KL. The Use of Innovative Diagnostics to Inform Sustainable Control of Equine Helminth Infections. Pathogens 2023 Oct 11;12(10).
        doi: 10.3390/pathogens12101233pubmed: 37887749google scholar: lookup
      2. 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.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-023-07994-1pubmed: 37803152google scholar: lookup
      3. Hautala K, Pursiainen J, Näreaho A, Nyman T, Varmanen P, Sukura A, Nielsen MK, Savijoki K. Label-free quantitative proteomics and immunoblotting identifies immunoreactive and other excretory-secretory (E/S) proteins of Anoplocephala perfoliata. Front Immunol 2022;13:1045468.
        doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1045468pubmed: 36466892google scholar: lookup
      4. 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.
        doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04318-5pubmed: 32912340google scholar: lookup
      5. Tomczuk K, Kostro K, Szczepaniak KO, Grzybek M, Studzińska M, Demkowska-Kutrzepa M, Roczeń-Karczmarz M. Comparison of the sensitivity of coprological methods in detecting Anoplocephala perfoliata invasions. Parasitol Res 2014 Jun;113(6):2401-6.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-014-3919-4pubmed: 24777342google scholar: lookup
      6. Getachew AM, Innocent G, Proudman CJ, Trawford A, Feseha G, Reid SW, Faith B, Love S. Field efficacy of praziquantel oral paste against naturally acquired equine cestodes in Ethiopia. Parasitol Res 2013 Jan;112(1):141-6.
        doi: 10.1007/s00436-012-3117-1pubmed: 23001508google scholar: lookup
      7. Getachew AM, Innocent G, Proudman CJ, Trawford A, Feseha G, Reid SW, Faith B, Love S. Equine cestodosis: a sero-epidemiological study of Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in Ethiopia. Vet Res Commun 2012 Jun;36(2):93-8.
        doi: 10.1007/s11259-012-9516-zpubmed: 22294318google scholar: lookup
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