Abstract
Detection ability, sensitivity, and specificity of a new test kit (New Kit) for detecting circulating adult heartworm antigens by means of the immunochromatography method were compared with those of an enzyme immunoassay test kit (Control A) and another immunochromatography test kit (Control B). The detection ability of the New Kit was the highest of the 3. In microfilaremic dogs (n=40), sensitivity of the New Kit was 100% in comparison with 97.5% for both Control A and Control B. In microfilaria-negative dogs (n=12), sensitivity of all 3 kits was 58.3%. Dogs without heartworm infection (n=33) were negative with all 3, indicating a specificity of 100% for all. Detection ability of the New Kit was highest of the 3 kits, and sensitivity and specificity of the New Kit were on a par with those of Controls A and B.
