Detection of Taenia solium antigens in merthiolate-form preserved stool samples

Cysticercosis can be controlled by mass treatment of Taenia solium carriers in hyperendemic areas. An automated screening method suitable for mass application is required to determine the prevalence of taeniasis and the efficacy of its treatment, since existing methods of carrier detection are considered insufficient for this purpose. Thus, a biotin/avidin-enhanced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was designed, which detected T. solium antigens in supernatants of merthiolate-formalin preserved stool samples. The assay distinguished the nine T. solium carriers tested from 41 negative controls, but cross-reactivity with Taenia saginata was noted.