Evaluation of “crude” antigen prepared fromTaenia saginata for the serological diagnosis ofT. saginata cysticercosis in cattle using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

A crude antigen prepared from the strobilate stage ofTaenia saginata was tested for its suitability in the peroxidase microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis ofT. saginata cysticercosis in cattle. Sera were tested from laboratory and pasture-reared calves experimentally infected withT. saginata as well as from cattle naturally infected by grazing on pasture irrigated with sewage effluent. The specificity of the diagnostic antigen was assessed using sera from laboratory-reared cattle with monospecific infections ofT. saginata, T. hydatigena, Fasciola hepatica, or gastro-intestinal nematodes, and natural infections ofF. hepatica. Cross-reactions occurred in sera from all heterologous infections but the highest level occurred in cattle experimentally or naturally infected withF. hepatica. Clear diagnostic antibody levels were found in cattle experimentally infected withT. saginata but the test was not found to be reliable in individual animals with natural infections when compared with sera from cattle naturally infected withF. hepatica. On a group or herd basis ELISA using crude antigen and taking the mean absorbance values, could be useful as an indicator of a high prevalence rate ofT. saginata cysticercosis.