Fascioliasis is a zoonotic disease spread by parasitic flatworms that affects the liver and bile ducts. The parasites spread via the fecal-oral route through the consumption of contaminated water. People can also contract the disease by eating the livers of infected animals. The main symptoms of fascioliasis include abdominal pain and inflammation, fever, and diarrhea in the earlier stages and bile duct obstruction and fibrosis in the later stages.
Read more about how fasciola is transmitted, diagnosed, and treated on our Articles page.
The IVD Fasciola Serology Microwell ELISA test kit provides accurate, reliable detection of Fasciola antibodies in human serum samples. While later stages of fascioliasis can be diagnosed using stool samples, early diagnosis is key to preventing long-term damage. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using Fasciola-specific antigens have been adopted as an alternative early detection method and have proven to be specific, sensitive, and rapid.
The IVD Fasciola Serology Microwell ELISA test is performed in four steps (three incubation periods and a stop solution):
- The first incubation: In this step, antigen attached to the kit microwells capture Fasciola-specific antibodies present in the serum sample; a washing step removes any unbound samples.
- The second incubation: This step adds Protein A antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase, which attaches to any antibodies bound to the microwells; a washing step removes any unbound conjugate.
- The third incubation: This step adds a chromogen, which turns blue in the presence of the enzyme complex and peroxide.
- The addition of a stop solution: This ends the chemical reaction and turns the blue to yellow in the presence of Fasciola antibodies. If no antibody is captured, or if there is an insufficient antibody level, the solution will remain colorless.
Each test kit contains 96 wells and has up to a 12-month shelf life. Test kits should be stored between 2-8 ˚C. Please contact us for pricing and availability.