Diagnosis of trichinellosis in pigs by ELISA test with three types of antigens of Trichinella spiralis.

RIBICICH, M., GAMBLE, H.R.., BOLPE, J., SOMMERFELT, I., MUNDO, S., CARDILLO, N., SAN MARTIN, C., VIZIO, E., BORRÁS, P., FRANCO, A. ROSA, A

Croacia

Congreso; XII International Conference on Trichinellosis; 2007

International Commission for Trichinellosis

In Argentina, many pigs are raised outdoors and Trichinella infection is endemic. The tradition of preparing and eating raw pork is common in rural areas of the country and this practice has resulted in outbreaks of human trichinellosis. For these reasons it is necessary to have available effective detection methods for Trichinella infection in pigs. In this report, 21 pig farms were selected for study including some using total and partial confinement management, some with pigs raised outdoors, and some with pigs raised under poor hygienic and sanitary conditions. A total of 3224 muscle samples were collected from pigs raised on these farms and these muscle samples were used to determine the presence of T. spiralis larvae by artificial digestion (DAR). Serum samples from these same 3224 pigs were tested for antibodies to T. spiralis using three ELISA tests: 1) a laboratory ELISA using T. spiralis excretory-secretory (E/S) antigens; 2) a Microwell ELISA test kit (SafePath Laboratories St.Paul, MN 55108 USA) also using E/S antigens; and 3) a Glycan Microwell ELISA test kit (SafePath Laboratories Carlsbad, CA 92008 USA) using tyvelose antigen. The laboratory ELISA, the Microwell ELISA and the Glycan Microwell ELISA had sensitivities and specificities of 100% and 100%, 98.3% and 100%, and 98.3% and 100% respectively when compared with results of artificial digestion testing. Results obtained from these three tests were not significantly different (p ≥ 0.05%) and the correlation between DAR and the ELISA test was 100% in all three cases. Assuring that pigs are free from Trichinella infection is a priority for the pork processing industry in Argentina. In the present study, we have described the performance of several ELISA tests that can be used to detect infected pigs on farms where risk of exposure of Trichinella spiralis has been found. Permanent monitoring systems performed in pig establishments, including the use of serology tests, would help to reduce or eliminate the risk for human exposure to pork from Trichinella infected pigs.