Diagnosis of trichinellosis by ELISA test with three types of antigens of Trichinella spiralis in pigs raised under different conditions of confinement.

摘要

In Argentina, many pigs are raised outdoors and Trichinella infection is endemic. In this report, 21 pig farms were selected for study, including some using total and partial confinement management, some where pigs were raised in outdoor housing, and some where pigs were raised under poor hygienic and sanitary conditions. A total of 3,224 muscle samples were collected from pigs on the 21 farms and these muscle samples were used to determine the presence of Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) larvae by artificial digestion (DAR). Serum samples from these same 3,224 pigs were tested for antibodies to T. spiralis using three Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) tests. The laboratory ELISA, the Microwell ELISA and the Glycan Microwell (ELISA) had sensitivities and specificities of 100%, 100% and 95.5%, and 100%, 95.5% and 100% respectively, when compared with the results of artificial digestion testing. Assuring that pigs are free from Trichinella infection is a priority for the pork processing industry in Argentina. Permanent monitoring systems performed in pig establishments, including the use of serology tests, as we describe here, would help to reduce or eliminate the risk for human exposure to Trichinella in pork.