Serodiagnosis of Fasciola gigantica infection in buffaloes.

The agar gel precipitation test (AGPT), counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) and indirect haemagglutination (IHA) were evaluated for the diagnosis of fascioliasis due to Fasciola gigantica in buffaloes. The sensitivity of these tests varied with the intensity of infection; and was greatest when the fluke burden in liver exceeded 100. CIEP detected 76.06% of infected sera and was most sensitive, followed by IHA which detected 68.37% of the infected sera. The AGPT was found to be least sensitive, detecting only 57.4% of the infected sera. Although these tests were limited by the occurrence of false-positive reactions, their use may be an aid for effective diagnosis of fascioliasis in buffaloes.