The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential role of the 27-Kilodalton (KDa)
antigen versus Fasciola gigantica adult worm regurge
antigens in a DOT-Blot assay and to assess this assay as a practical tool for diagnosis
fascioliasis in Egyptian patients. Fasciola gigantica
antigen of an approximate molecular mass 27-(KDa) was obtained from adult worms by a simple elution SDS-PAGE. A Dot-Blot was developed comparatively to adult worm regurge
antigens for the detection of specific
antibodies from patients infected with F. gigantica in Egypt. Control sera were obtained from patients with other
parasitic infections and healthy volunteers to assess the test and compare between the
antigens. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of Dot-Blot using the adult worm regurge were 80%, 90%, 94.1%, and 69.2% respectively, while those using 27-KDa were 100% which confirms the diagnostic potential of this
antigen. All patients infected with Fasciola were positive, with cross reactivity reported with Schistosoma mansoni serum samples. This 27-KDa Dot-Blot assay showed to be a promising test which can be used for serodiagnosis of
fascioliasis in Egyptian patients especially, those presenting with hepatic disease. It is specific, sensitive and easy to perform method for the rapid diagnosis particularly when more complex laboratory tests are unavailable.