Echinococcus IgG ELISA

Enzyme immunoassay for the qualitative determination of IgG class antibodies against Echinococcus in human serum or plasma (citrate, heparin). Echinococci are microscopic cestodes (tapeworms) of 1-6 mm which are dependent on their genus found either in dogs or other canids (E. granulosus) or in foxes, coyotes and wolves (E. multilocularis). In their larval stage they are the causative agent of human echinococcosis (Hydatiosis, or hydatic disease). The adult tapeworms reside in the small bowel of the definitive hosts, and gravid proglottids release eggs that are passed in the feces. After ingestion of a suitable intermediate host, the egg hatches in the small bowel and releases an oncosphere that penetrates the intestinal wall and through the circulatory system into various organs, especially the liver and lungs, where it develops into a cyst. Echinococcus infections remain silent for years before the enlarging cysts cause symptoms in the affected organs (liver, lung, and less commonly other organs as brain, bone, heart). E. granulosus occurs practically worldwide, and more frequently in rural, grazing areas where dogs ingest organs from infected animals. E. multilocularis occurs in the northern hemisphere, including central Europe and the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Although human cases are rare, infection in humans causes parasitic tumors to form in the liver, the lungs, and less commonly, the brain, and other organs. If left untreated, infection can be fatal.

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