Abstract
Human toxocariasis is one of the most common zoonotic helminth infections in temperate countries worldwide. Serodiagnosis is necessary as direct histological evidence of parasitic infection is rarely forthcoming. The most appropriate currently used serodiagnosis approach is by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay employing excretory/secretory antigen harvested from T. canis larvae (ES-ELISA), followed by a confirmatory analysis by Western blotting. In developing countries, due to the high cost and scarcity of central laboratories with adequate supplies and experties, few seroepidemiological studies have been carried out to elucidate the prevalence of toxocariasis. Hoping for a more simple, easily applied serological test, the objective was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of an indirect Immuno Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT) using Toxocara canis Embryonated Eggs (EE), intact Hatched Larva (HL) and Adult Frozen Sections (FSA) as antigens for detection of anti-Toxocara canis eggs while diagnostic specificity was assessed using a battery of sera collected from mice experimentally infected with other parasites as well as sera from laboratory bred control mice free from parasitic infections. EE, HL and FSA-IFAT antigens showed sensitivity of 83, 86 and 75%; specificity of 94.1, 97.4 and 88.2% and diagnostic accuracy of 93.4, 96.7 and 86.%, respectively.