Methods, Devices, Kits and Compositions for Detecting Roundworm, Whipworm and Hookworm

Abstract

Methods, devices, kits and compositions for detecting the presence or absence of one or more helminthic coproantigens in a sample are disclosed herein. The methods, devices, kits and compositions of the present invention may be used to confirm the presence or absence of roundworm, whipworm and/or hookworm in a fecal sample from a mammal and may also be able to distinguish between one or more helminth infections. Confirmation of the presence or absence of roundworm, whipworm and/or hookworm in the mammal may be made, for example, for the purpose of selecting an optimal course of treating the mammal and/or for the purpose of determining whether the mammal has been rid of the infection after treatment has been initiated.

1 . A device for detecting the presence or absence of one or more helminthic antigens from a sample; the device comprising a solid support, wherein the solid support has immobilized thereon at least two antibodies selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) a first antibody capable of specifically binding a roundworm coproantigen, but not a whipworm or hookworm coproantigen;   (b) a second antibody capable of specifically binding a whipworm coproantigen, but not a roundworm or hookworm coproantigen; and   (c) a third antibody capable of specifically binding a hookworm coproantigen, but not a whipworm or roundworm coproantigen.   
     
     
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         16 . A method of detecting the presence or absence of one or more helminthic antigens in a sample, the method comprising:
 (a) contacting a sample from a mammal with at least two antibodies selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) a first antibody capable of specifically binding a roundworm coproantigen, but not a whipworm or hookworm coproantigen; 
 (ii) a second antibody capable of specifically binding a whipworm coproantigen, but not a roundworm or hookworm coproantigen; and 
 (iii) a third antibody capable of specifically binding a hookworm coproantigen, but not a whipworm or roundworm coproantigen 
   (b) forming antibody -coproantigen complexes in the presence of the coproantigens, if any, in the sample; and   (c) detecting the presence or absence of the antibody-coproantigen complexes, if any.   
     
     
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         40 . A method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:
 (d) diagnosing the mammal as having:
 (i) a roundworm infection if a roundworm antibody-coproantigen complex is present; 
 (ii) a whipworm infection if a whipworm antibody-coproantigen complex is present; and 
 (iii) a hookworm infection if a hookworm antibody-coproantigen complex is present. 
   
     
     
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         60 . A kit for detection of one or more roundworm coproantigens, one or more whipworm coproantigens and/or one or more hookworm coproantigens in a mammalian sample, the kit comprising the device of  claim 1 , and one or more reagents sufficient for the detection of the one or more antigens. 
     
     
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