Development of a chemiluminescence assay for detection of Giardia lamblia in canine stool samples

Our Giardia chemiluminescence assay (GCA) detected Giardia antigens in a dose-dependent manner with a limit of detection at 0.46 ng/mL and a signal-to-baseline ratio at 475. In a study of 30 clinic collected canine stool samples, samples were identified as Giardia positive or negative by a standard Giardia II ELISA (TechLab), the GCA had sensitivity of 93.8 % and specificity of 92.9 %. Study on the set of 16 Giardia positive samples showed that all samples displayed higher signal-to-baseline ratio in GCA than they did in a colorimetric ELISA. A dilution analysis of antigen titer showed that for all positive samples, antigen titers in GCA were equal or higher than those in ELISA. The GCA system of chemiluminescence has shown improved capability in detecting Giardia antigens and provided a valid alternative method for researchers and for laboratories.