Short report: Semi-quantitative scoring of an immunochromatographic test for circulating filarial antigen

Cédric B. Chesnais, François Missamou, Sébastien D.S. Pion, Jean Bopda, Frédéric Louya, Andrew C. Majewski, Gary J. Weil, Michel Boussinesq

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

The value of a semi-quantitative scoring of the filarial antigen test (Binax Now Filariasis card test, ICT) results was evaluated during a field survey in the Republic of Congo. One hundred and thirty-four (134) of 774 tests (17.3%) were clearly positive and were scored 1, 2, or 3; and 11 (1.4%) had questionable results. Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae (mf) were detected in 41 of those 133 individuals with an ICT test score ≥ 1 who also had a night blood smear; none of the 11 individuals with questionable ICT results harbored night mf. Cuzick's test showed a significant trend for higher microfilarial densities in groups with higher ICT scores (P < 0.001). The ICT scores were also significantly correlated with blood mf counts. Because filarial antigen levels provide an indication of adult worm infection intensity, our results suggest that semi-quantitative reading of the ICT may be useful for grading the intensity of filarial infections in individuals and populations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)916-918
Number of pages3
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume89
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013

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