Evaluation of Semi-Nested PCR Compared with Indirect-ELISA to Diagnose Human Fasciolosis

We aimed to compare semi-nested PCR with indirectELISA todiagnose human fasciolosis.

Overall, 70 serum samples were collected from different areas in Iran suspected for fascioliasis.Indi-viduals were classified based on diagnostic offascioliasisand habitat in endemic areas.Finally, all serum samples were tested by indirect ELISA (usingsecretory excretory antigen) and semi-nested PCR (using ITS1gene).The study was conducted in the School of Publish Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2021.

Significant differences were found between agreement and similarity of patients' results of indirectELISA and semi-nestedPCR 94.46% and 98.4% respectively (Cohen's kappa≥0.6; P≤0.05). No cross-reactions were observed with other parasitic diseases (toxocariasis, hydatidosis,strongyloidiasis, toxoplasmosis,cutaneous leishmaniasis,taeniasisand trichinosis). 69.84% of samples were positive by both techniques. In addition, the percentage of agreement and similarity between the results of the two techniques based on habitat in endemic areaswas 88.9-100% and 97.7-100%, respectively(Cohen's kappa≥0.6; P≤0.05).

Semi-nested PCR could be a suitable method for following up on patients' treatment anda con-firmatory method for ELISA as for diagnosis of human fascioliasis.