Suitability of Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory Technique (DBL) as Detection Test for Trematode Infection in Buffaloes

Abstract

Trematodes are one of the devastating parasites in ruminants with significant public health and economic importance. Continued evaluation and development of novel detection methods for accurate diagnosis are highly warranted. This study aimed to assess the suitability of the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory (DBL) technique as a detection test for Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp. infection in buffaloes. Sensitivity and specificity were compared to post-mortem recovery of parasites from specific organs. A total of 246 buffaloes were examined in this study, of which 125 (50.81%) were infected with Fasciola spp. and 109 (44.31%) with Paramphistomum spp. by post-mortem detection. In contrast, 107 (43.50%) were positive for Fasciola spp. and 92 (37.40%) for Paramphistomum spp. by the DBL method. Sensitivity of DBL was high in detecting Fasciola spp. (85.6%) and Paramphistomum spp. (84.4%). The specificity was 100% for both parasites. Kappa coefficients (к) indicated an almost perfect agreement of the two tests in detecting Fasciola spp. (0.8539) and Paramphistomum spp. (0.8577). Based on these findings, DBL is a suitable technique for the detection of trematodes in buffaloes.