Comparative evaluation of three new tools for diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis based on detection of specific circulating antigens

Abstract

Three new and commercially available tools for diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti infections based on detection of specific circulating antigens were evaluated and compared in the same group of individuals from a highly endemic village in southern Ghana. The tests were: (1) the ICT card test for serum specimens; (2) the TropBio ELISA test for serum specimens; and (3) the TropBio ELISA test for filter-paper specimens. A high degree of positive/negative response similarity was observed for the 3 tests, and the sensitivity for detecting microfilaraemic cases was 100% for all tests. The antigen levels measured in the TropBio serum test and the TropBio filter-paper test were statistically significantly correlated. Among antigen-positive endemic individuals the antigen levels in these 2 tests furthermore showed a positive association with the microfilarial intensity, but a statistical significant correlation was seen only for the filter-paper version of the test. The results are promising for the use of the 3 tests as diagnostic tools in bancroftian filariasis.