Elsemore et al. (2017). Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. doi: 10.1177/1040638717706098
…were not stored. Fecal extract preparation One gram of fecal material was suspended in 4 mL of sample buffer (Tris buffer, pH 7.2, supplemented with Tween-20, 5% mouse serum [Equitech], 10% rabbit serum [Pel-Freez], and 40% fetal bovine serum [Life Technologies]). Sample homogenization was accomplished by addition of four or five 3-mm silica beads (product 11-312A, Fisher Scientific, Pittsburg, PA) followed by 2…
Abstract
We report the development and field validation of 2 ELISAs for the detection of Ancylostoma caninum or Toxocara canis coproantigens in the feces of dogs with experimental and natural infections, and evidence of cross-reactivity with respective feline counterparts. A. caninum–specific coproantigens were detected in feces of experimentally infected dogs starting at 9 d post-infection (dpi), whereas eggs were not seen until 23 dpi. T. canis–specific coproantigens were detected in 3 of 5 experimentally infected dogs by 31 dpi, and 4 of the 5 animals by 38 dpi. T. canis eggs were seen in feces of 4 of the 5 animals by 38 dpi. One dog had delayed coproantigen detection and low egg output. Additionally, 817 canine and 183 feline fecal samples from naturally infected animals tested by flotation were subjected to coproantigen ELISA testing. Of these 1,000 canine and feline samples, 13 and 23 samples, respectively, were positive for “hookworm” or “roundworm” eggs; 19 and 26 samples were ELISA positive, respectively. The T. canis ELISA detected T. cati coproantigen in cat fecal samples. Discrepant ELISA and flotation results were obtained for 16 hookworm- and 13 roundworm-positive samples. Re-examination of the egg-positive, ELISA-negative samples indicated several instances of possible misidentification or coprophagy, whereas detection of antigen in samples without egg observations is likely a reflection of true infection status with egg shedding below detection levels. There is good indication, based on accumulated field data, that these antigen tests also detect other hookworm and ascarid species.