Application of a modified human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for diagnosis of hydatidosis in sheep

Cystic hydatid disease (hydatidosis) is one of the most important zoonosis that is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. As its diagnosis by clinical symptoms alone is difficult and confusing, serologic diagnostic techniques are used to confirm the disease. These techniques can also be used for epidemiologic studies. The present study was performed with a commercial human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for the diagnosis of hydatidosis in sera collected from sheep with hydatidosis. Sera were collected from 68 cases of hydatidosis proven by inspection of hydatid-infested livers and lungs of the sheep slaughtered in Mashhad abattoir and also from 11 healthy cases. Sera samples were examined by ELISA kit. The results showed that out of 68 cases of hydatidosis in sheep, 67 samples had positive absorbance. Also from 11 healthy samples, 9 had negative absorbance value. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were 99 and 82%, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that it is possible to use human ELISA kit for the diagnosis of hydatidosis in sheep.