A diagnostic test for scabies: IgE specificity for a recombinant allergen of Sarcoptes scabiei

Rama Jayaraj, Belinda Hales, Linda Viberg, Susan Pizzutto, Deborah Holt, Jennifer M Rolland, Robyn O'hehir, Bart Currie, Shelley Walton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Scabies infestations are difficult to diagnose clinically and current serologic tests have less than 50% accuracy. To develop more reliable diagnosis of scabies, specific IgE antibodies to a major scabies antigen recombinant Sar s 14.3 (rSar s 14.3) were measured in 140 plasma samples from scabies-infested and control subject groups using dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescent immunoassays (DELFIA). Levels of rSar s 14.3-specific IgE were quantified, and cross-reactivity with its house dust mite homologue, Der p 14, was assessed. The rSar s 14.3 DELFIA showed excellent diagnostic capability, with 100% sensitivity and 93.75% specificity for distinguishing subjects with current scabies infestation from control, uninfested subjects. Recombinant Der p 14 preparation was ineffective at inhibiting IgE binding to rSar s 14.3. This study shows that quantification of levels of IgE antibody to rSar s 14.3 is a highly sensitive method for diagnosis of scabies infestation in clinical practice. � 2011 Elsevier Inc.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)403-407
Number of pages5
JournalDiagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Volume71
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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