Echinococcus granulosus is one of the most important and widespread of the helminth
zoonoses. Diagnosis ofE. granulosus infection in dogs currently relies on arecoline dosing
and detailed examination of the purge for adult worms. Two immunodiagnostic tests
(ELISA) based on genus specific coproantigen detection or serum antibody (IgG, IgA and
IgE) detection were compared against arecoline purgation for the detection of Echinococcus
in naturally infected dogs in Uruguay. The coproantigen ELISA had a sensitivity of
76.9% compared with 34.6% for the serum IgG ELISA when assessed against 26 purge
positive dogs (purge worm count range 1-4331 ). Coproantigen reactivity was positively
correlated (r= 0.65) to purge worm count, with a threshold at over 20 worms. There was
no positive correlation of antibody levels with worm counts. In 26 matched Echinococcus
positive dog samples, the overall sensitivity of serological detection increased to 69.2%
when seroreactivity for IgA and IgE antibodies were included and to 96.2% for both coproantigen
and antibody assays combined. The detection of current infection of individual
dogs with E. granulosus by coproantigen ELISA has the potential to replace arecoline purgation,
while specific serum antibody detection should be useful in assessing Echinococcus
exposure in dog populations.