Do intestinal parasites interfere with the seroepidemiologic surveillance ofSchistosoma mansoniinfection?

Abstract

SUMMARYIn view of the known cross-reactivity of sera from patients with intestinal parasites to some Schistosoma mansoni antigens, field work was conducted in an area of Venezuela non-endemic for schistosomiasis using the routine immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) with soluble egg antigen (SEA). False positive reactions represented 15-3 % of the total population as determined by SEA-ELISA. SEA-immunoblotting of the false positive sera indicated that protein fractions of 91 and 80 kDa appear to be responsible for cross-reactivity. Sera from hookworm infected individuals produced a higher frequency and intensity of cross-reaction than other sera. SEA-fractions of 105, 54, 46, 42, 32,25 and 15 kDa were the most specific.

Use of Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen (SEA) for antibody detection and diagnosis of schistosomiasis: The need for improved accuracy evaluations of diagnostic tools

“…The advantages of antibody detection systems include high sensitivity, relatively straightforward automation, and large scale processing of samples (Doenhoff et al, 2004;Weerakoon et al, 2015). However, these systems also have several limitations: i) antibodies may circulate for a long time after an infection is cured (Capron et al, 1969;Tosswill and Ridley, 1986); ii) cross-reactivity between antigens from Schistosoma species and other helminths may occur (Alarcón- de-Noya et al, 1996); iii) difficulties with large scale production may be encountered; iv) some techniques have significant costs and require complex equipment; v) there are operational complexities associated with blood collection and the transportation and storage of sera; and vi) there may be difficulties in evaluating performance (Doenhoff et al, 2004;Hamilton et al, 1998). Lack of reproducibility between different batches of reagents may further hinder or delay implementation of new diagnostics (Banoo et al, 2006).…”