Title
First inter-laboratory comparison of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato diagnosis in Latin America
Other title
Primeira análise comparativa entre laboratórios do diagnóstico de infecção pelo Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato na América Latina Primer ejercicio de comparación entre laboratorios sobre el diagnóstico de Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato en América Latina
Date Issued
01 January 2019
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Jercic M.I.
Santillan G.
Elola S.
Paredes W.Q.
Conza Blanco L.B.
Morel N.
Villegas R.
Flores B.M.
Cabrera M.
dos Santos A.G.
Sanchez-Vazquez M.J.
Maxwell M.J.
Vigilato M.A.
Larrieu E.
Del Rio Vilas V.J.
Publisher(s)
Pan American Health Organization
Abstract
Objective. To compare the performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests for diagnosing Echinococcus granulosus in dog feces among national reference laboratories in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Methods. National laboratories affiliated with the Ministry of Health/Agriculture of each country exchanged panels of 10 positive/negative samples obtained from their regular national surveillance programs in November 2015 - November 2016. All laboratories applied PCR; two also applied ELISA techniques. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for each laboratory and concordance of results among the laboratories was evaluated by Cohen Kappa coefficient. Results. Poor concordance (3 of 10 paired comparisons had values of Kappa > 0.4), low sensitivity and specificity across all laboratories, and poor performance of both techniques in detecting E. granulosus in canine feces was demonstrated in this study. An ex-post comparison of the laboratories' test protocols showed substantial heterogeneity that could partially explain poor concordance of results. Conclusion. The results underscore the heterogeneity of canine echinococcosis diagnosis across the region and indicate possible sources of variability. Efforts to standardize canine echinococcosis testing must be included in the plan of action for the Regional Initiative for the Control of Cystic Echinococcosis. Future comparisons with fecal samples of known parasite load are needed.
Volume
43
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Salud pública, Salud ambiental
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85083920091
Source
Revista Panamericana de Salud Publica/Pan American Journal of Public Health
ISSN of the container
10204989
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus