[Detection and quantification of Fasciola hepatica antigens in sheep]

The diagnosis of ovine fascioliasis hepatica is presented by a sandwich ELISA with the use of monoclonal antibody ES78 previously reported for the diagnosis of bovine fascioliasis. The assay was applied to faeces of 40 sheep infected with Fasciola hepatica, 88 sheep with other parasitary infections tested by coproparasitology and 100 caprologically negative animals. Antigens of excretion-secretion of Fasciola hepatica were detected in 38 of the 40 sheep with fascioliasis and in none of the negative animals or with other parasitosis. The results show that ES78 sandwich ELISA, as in bovines, is fast, simple and useful for the diagnosis of the active infection caused by Fasciola hepatica among bovines.