| Diagnostic methods | Pros and cons |
| Parasitological diagnosis | |
Diagnosis is proven by finding the characteristic eggs in faeces or in duodenal fluid (by duodenal aspiration or with the “string test”).
Multiple samples and concentration methods improve sensitivity in light infections! | - It is difficult to detect light infections
- Eggs of Asian liver flukes are difficult to differentiate by egg morphology
|
| Molecular diagnosis | |
| First attempts to detect and differentiate DNA from Asian liver flukes (C. sinensis, O. viverrini and O. felineus) in faecal samples using specific primers | - Method has still to be validated
|
| Antigen detection | |
| No tests developed so far | |
| Antibody detection | |
Serological tests using crude worm antigens have low specificities (cross-reactivity with other trematode infections).
A better specificity can be reached using recombinant or purified antigens (e.g. cysteine proteinase or excretory/secretory antigens). However, there is a loss in sensitivity. | - High sensitivity
- Limited specificity
|
