Bayesian modelling to estimate the test characteristics of coprology, coproantigen ELISA and a novel real‐time PCR for the diagnosis of taeniasis. Issue 5 (7th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Praet, Nicolas; Verweij, Jaco J.; Mwape, Kabemba E.; Phiri, Isaac K.; Muma, John B.; Zulu, Gideon; van, Lisette; Rodriguez‐Hidalgo, Richar; Benitez‐Ortiz, Washington; Dorny, Pierre; Gabriël, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Tropical medicine & international health. Volume 18:Issue 5(2013:May)
• Page Start: 608
• Page End: 614
• Publication Date: 2013-03-07
• Subjects: Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 616.988
• DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-2276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="tmi12089-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="tmi12089-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To estimate and compare the performances of coprology, copro‐Ag ELISA and real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay (copro‐PCR) for detection of <italic>Taenia solium</italic> tapeworm carriers.</p> </sec> <sec id="tmi12089-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The three diagnostic tests were applied on 817 stool samples collected in two Zambian communities where taeniasis is endemic. A Bayesian approach was used to allow estimation of the test characteristics. Two (0.2%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0–0.8), 67 (8.2%; 95% CI: 6.4–10.3) and 10 (1.2%; 95% CI: 0.5–2.2) samples were positive using coprology, copro‐Ag ELISA and copro‐PCR, respectively.</p> </sec> <sec id="tmi12089-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Specificities of 99.9%, 92.0% and 99.0% were determined for coprology, copro‐Ag ELISA and copro‐PCR, respectively. Sensitivities of 52.5%, 84.5% and 82.7% were determined for coprology, copro‐Ag ELISA and copro‐PCR, respectively.</p> </sec> <sec id="tmi12089-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>We urge for additional studies exploring possible cross‐reactions of the copro‐Ag ELISA and for the use of more sensitive tests, such as copro‐PCR, for the detection of tapeworm carriers, which is a key factor in controlling the parasite in endemic areas.</p> </sec> </abstract>