Detection of Fasciola hepatica antigen in cattle faeces by a monoclonal antibody-based sandwich immunoassay

A monoclonal antibody-based sandwich immunoassay (mAb sandwich ELISA) was developed for the detection of Fasciola hepatica antigen in the faeces of cattle. The assay was applied to samples from 100 cattle infected with F hepatica, 56 animals with parasitologically proven infections of other parasites and 100 uninfected animals. F hepatica antigen was detected in all the faecal samples from animals with fasciolosis, but none of the samples from the uninfected animals or from those with other parasitic infections had significant levels of F hepatica antigens. The results indicate that the mAb sandwich ELISA is a rapid, simple and useful method for the diagnosis of active F hepatica infection in cattle.