Micro ELISA and indirect haemagglutination tests in the diagnosis of Taenia hydatigena metacestode infections in lambs

Of 48 lambs slaughtered at a local abattoir, 60.4% were either found to be infected with Taenia hydatigena cycts, or showed evidence of abortive infections (white spots on the liver) with that parasite. The micro ELISA test and the IHA test did not distinguish between animals showing evidence of infection at slaughter and those which did not. Both tests gave results which correlated significantly with each other. The antigens used in the tests cross-reacted with each other, which may be the reason for the large number of false negative results.