AUTHOR=Drescher Guilherme , Vasconcelos Tassia Cristina Bello de , Belo Vínicius Silva , Pinto Mariane Marques da Guarda , Rosa Jaqueline de Oliveira , Morello Luis Gustavo , Figueiredo Fabiano Borges 

TITLE=Serological diagnosis of fasciolosis (Fasciola hepatica) in humans, cattle, and sheep: a meta-analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1252454

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2023.1252454

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Fasciola hepatica</italic> can cause problems in both animals and humans. Fasciolosis can be diagnosed through the indirect ELISA immunodiagnostic test. Serological diagnosis of <italic>Fasciola</italic> is based on recombinant antigens secreted by this worm. We used PubMed and Google Scholar databases to review the published literature on ‘antigens with immunogenic potential’ used in serological tests to identify antibodies against <italic>F. hepatica</italic> in humans, cattle, and sheep. Studies that investigated diagnostic tests with common reference standards were included in the sensitivity and/or specificity bivariate meta-analysis. In the quality and susceptibility to bias analysis of the 33 included studies, 26 fulfilled at least six (75%) of the eight QUADAS criteria and were considered good-quality papers. We found that most of the studies used native excretory-secretory antigens and recombinant cathepsin in ELISA tests for serological diagnosis of fascioliasis in humans, cattle, and sheep. The meta-analysis revealed that all antigens demonstrated good accuracy. The best results in terms of sensitivity [0.931–2.5% confidence interval (CI) and 0.985–97.5% CI] and specificity (0.959–2.5% CI and 0.997–97.5% CI) were found in human <italic>Fh</italic>ES. <italic>Fh</italic>rCL-1, <italic>Fh</italic>ES, and <italic>Fh</italic>rSAP-2 antigens gave the best results for the serum diagnosis of human and animal fasciolosis.</p>