The HP10 Taenia monoclonal antibody-based ELISA detects a similar protein in the vesicular fluid of Taenia hydatigena.

Abstract

Diagnosis of Taenia solium cysticercosis in endemic rural communities depends on serological tests, as typically there is no access to imaging facilities. The HP10 antigen ELISA (HP10 Ag ELISA), which detects a high molecular weight secreted protein of viable metacestodes, has been employed for the diagnosis of both human and porcine cysticercosis in such communities. In this communication, we formally demonstrate that the HP10 Ag ELISA, already known to function for the detection of T. saginata and T. solium cysticercosis, also detects a similar high molecular weight antigen of T. hydatigena. Thus, the HP10 Ag assay, while specific for human cysticercosis, may not be recommended for the diagnosis of porcine cysticercosis where there is co-infection of pigs with T. solium and T. hydatigena.