The role of a recombinant hybrid protein based ELISA for the serodiagnosis of Onchocerca volvulus
- Julie Alison Andrews (julie.andrews{at}whittington.nhs.uk)
Abstract
Onchocerca volvulus infection is traditionally diagnosed by examination of skin snips for the presence of microfilariae. A disadvantage of this method is the low sensitivity particularly with light or prepatent infection. Serodiagnosis using recombinant antigen based assays may provide a more sensitive diagnostic test. An ELISA based on a recombinant antigen OvH3 has previously been validated using sera from endemic areas. This study demonstrates its potential role as a sensitive and specific assay for use in the serodiagnosis of onchocerciasis in a reference laboratory dealing with sera from patients in non-endemic setting.
