Identification of snails infected with schistosomes by ELISA employing monoclonal antibodies: Schistosoma mansoni in laboratory snails (Biomphalaria glabrata) and in field snails (Biomphalaria pfeifereri) from Kenya

J. Hamburger, M. Weil, T. Turetzky, J. H. Ouma, D. K. Koech, R. Klumpp, T. K.A. Siongok, R. F. Sturrock

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Abstract

An enzyme-linked immusorbent assay (ELISA) employing monoclonal antibodies was used for detecting Schistosoma mansoni antigens in hemolymph of laboratory snails (Biomphalaria glabrata) in Kenya. Infected laboratory snails shedding cercariae were differentially identified by ELISA from uninfected snails with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Prepatent infections were detected by ELISA from 2 weeks after exposure to miracidia. Thus, ELISA revealed infection 3 weeks before maximal patency was reached (5-6 weeks post-exposure). Infected field snails (B. pfeifferi) shedding cercariae were differentially identified by ELISA, with 100% sensitivity and specificity from uninfected field snails and from snails naturally infected with other trematodes (echinostomes and strigeids). Prepatent infections with S. mansoni were readily identified by ELISA in field snails. A case is demonstrated where infection rate, as determined by shedding test alone, was 9.8%, whereas the combined figure of prepatent and patient infection rates was 22.9%.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)613-619
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume40
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989

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