Indirect ELISA and Western blotting as tools to diagnose fascioloidosis in a population of free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus)

The aim of this research was to investigate use of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting test with native excretory/secretory Fascioloides magna antigen (ES-Ag) in free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus). The research was performed on 48 red deer shot during routine culls from two different areas considering occurrence of fascioloidosis. After the coprological examination and gross pathology examination of the livers for F. magna, serum samples were divided into three groups as infected (n=32), uninfected (n=13) and previously infected deer (n=3). Indirect ELISA results were significantly higher for serum samples from infected deer (percentage of positivity (PP) 65.1±18.4) than uninfected (PP 11.6±13.7) and previously infected deer (PP 20.3±6.4). Samples from uninfected had fewer bands (30-33 and 104 kDa) on Western blotting than samples from infected deer (6, 17, 22, 27, 30-33, 40, 45 and 104 kDa). The number of alive flukes were positively correlated with ELISA results and the number of F. magna eggs per gram of faeces (EPG). The results indicated that ELISA and Western blotting test could be useful in the early diagnosis of fascioloidosis in red deer and in the control in a population of free-ranging red deer as well.