Dogs as alternative intermediate hosts ofTaenia soliumin Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia confirmed by highly specific ELISA and immunoblot using native and recombinant antigens and mitochondrial DNA analysis

Abstract

AbstractSerology (ELISA and immunoblot) using native glycoproteins, affinity purified glycoproteins, and a recombinant antigen is known to be highly specific toTaenia soliumcysticercosis in humans and pigs. These techniques were applied for dogs in the highly endemic area of cysticercosis in Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia. Analysis of dog sera by both ELISA and immunoblot revealed 7 of 64 dogs were highly positive. Examination of two sero-positive dogs revealed cysticerci ofT. soliumin the brain and heart of these dogs. Mitochondrial DNA analysis confirmed that they were the same asT. soliumpreviously confirmed from pigs and biopsies from local people from Irian Jaya. It is suggested that the life cycle ofT. soliummay be completed not only between humans and pigs but also between humans and dogs.