Gottstein, BrunoSchneeberger, MarianneBoubaker, GhaliaMerkle, BernadetteHuber, CristinaSpiliotis, MarkusMüller, NorbertGarate, TeresaDoherr, Marcus G2018-12-192018-12-192014-06-12PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Jun 12;8(6):e28601935-2735http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/6899Two recombinant Fasciola hepatica antigens, saposin-like protein-2 (recSAP2) and cathepsin L-1 (recCL1), were assessed individually and in combination in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the specific serodiagnosis of human fasciolosis in areas of low endemicity as encountered in Central Europe. Antibody detection was conducted using ProteinA/ProteinG (PAG) conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. Test characteristics as well as agreement with results from an ELISA using excretory-secretory products (FhES) from adult stage liver flukes was assessed by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, specificity, sensitivity, Youdens J and overall accuracy. Cross-reactivity was assessed using three different groups of serum samples from healthy individuals (n=20), patients with other parasitic infections (n=87) and patients with malignancies (n=121). The best combined diagnostic results for recombinant antigens were obtained using the recSAP2-ELISA (87% sensitivity, 99% specificity and 97% overall accuracy) employing the threshold (cut-off) to discriminate between positive and negative reactions that maximized Youdens J. The findings showed that recSAP2-ELISA can be used for the routine serodiagnosis of chronic fasciolosis in clinical laboratories; the use of the PAG-conjugate offers the opportunity to employ, for example, rabbit hyperimmune serum for the standardization of positive controls.engVoRAdolescentAdultAgedAtribución 4.0 Internacional2492205086e286010.1371/journal.pntd.00028601935-2735PLoS neglected tropical diseasesopen access