Specialized Diagnostics: Coproantigen Detection

This approach depends on the detection of parasite antigen in faeces, using a variety of immunological techniques. Tests have been developed for Echinococcus in carnivores, Fasciola, Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) in people, and Entamoeba histolytica (amoebic dysentery) in people. A commercial test kit is available for Giardia and Cryptosporidium. An advantage of coproantigen tests is that there need not be any parasite (e.g. eggs) in the sample, only antigen derived from the parasite. Also, for the commercial kits, there is no requirement for skill in parasite identification.