Diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis in buffaloes by native 8 kDa antigen using latex agglutination test (LAT).

The dog tapeworm Echinococcusgranulosus is the causative agent of cystic hydatid disease in domestic/wild herbivores animals and man. Accurate immunodiagnosis of the infection requires highly specific and sensitive antigens. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate immunoassays with principles of precipitation, agglutination for the identification of buffaloes infected with hydatid cyst which would allow the monitoring of animals from endemic areas and identifying infected animals prior to slaughter. The immunoassays were developed and validated using hydatid specific, non-cross reactive low molecular weight 8 kDa hydatid cyst fluid protein. Sera used for the assay validations were obtained from 200 buffaloes infected naturally with hydatid cyst and 200 non-infected buffaloes. The diagnostic sensitivity with latex agglutination test was 98.67 %. It should be useful for the conformation of hydatid cyst infected individual sheep.