The utility of coproantigen testing in screening populations

Area of Science:

• Veterinary diagnostics
• Parasitology
• Immunodiagnostics

Background:

• Intestinal parasite detection is crucial for veterinary risk assessment.
• Fecal flotation for ova detection is the traditional method.
• New diagnostic tools are needed to improve accuracy and clinical utility.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the clinical utility of a commercial coproantigen immunoassay.
• Compare coproantigen testing with centrifugal fecal flotation (O&P).
• Assess the impact on clinical management decisions for GI parasite infections in companion animals.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 898,299 paired fecal samples (coproantigen vs. O&P).
• Samples collected from a commercial reference laboratory over three months.
• Evaluation of test positivity and clinical management changes.

Main Results:

• 83.7% of samples were negative by both methods.
• Coproantigen detected infections missed by O&P in 9.4% of samples.
• O&P detected infections missed by coproantigen in only 0.6% of samples (excluding coprophagy).

Conclusions:

• Coproantigen immunoassay is more effective than O&P for identifying animals needing antiparasitic management.
• The coproantigen test is a highly accurate and effective screening method.
• Supports adoption of coproantigen testing for canine and feline intestinal parasitism.