Abstract
The accuracy of a latex agglutination (LA) test kit for detection of circulating adult heartworm antigen was compared with that of a enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) test kit. Thirty-five (83%) and 41 (98%) of 42 heartworm-free dogs were negative by LA and ELISA, respectively, and the specificity in ELISA was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in LA. Dogs with false-positive by LA and ELISA showed no correlation with harboring of intestinal parasites. Twenty-five (68%) and 16 (43%) of 37 heartworm-infected dogs without microfilaremia were positive by LA and ELISA, respectively. The sensitivities in LA were higher than in ELISA in dogs harboring both male and female adult heartworms, male or female adult worms only and immature worms. Out of 35 heartworm-infected dogs with microfilaremia, 34 (97%) and 33 (94%) dogs were positive by LA and ELISA, respectively. The degree of reaction in both tests seemed to reflect the severity of worm burden, but the correlation was not enough to estimate the number of heartworms residing
