Comparison of four methods for early detection of experimental Trichinella spiralis infections in pigs

Abstract

Four methods employed in the diagnosis of experimental porcine trichinellosis (trichinoscopy, digestion method, immunofluorescence and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) were compared by eleven laboratories in the countries of the European Economic Community and Sweden. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of ELISA during the onset of T. spiralis infection. Material from conventionally raised pigs infected with 1500 to 10000 larvae was compared to uninfected controls at Day 17 and Day 21 post infection. The serological techniques gave higher percentages of positive results than the direct techniques. Specific antibodies could be demonstrated with ELISA at an earlier stage and at higher percentages than with the other methods. ELISA micro-assay was the most sensitive procedure.