Fasciolosis is a parasitic zoonosis which is categorized as a neglected tropical disease by WHO. Human cases are reported over 70 countries around the world, including Japan. Fasciolosis occurred in domestic cattle in Japan have been monitored in slaughterhouses, and higher prevalence has been reported in Hokkaido prefecture than in other localities. The seroprevalence of fasciolosis in wild Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) was investigated because they were speculated to act as a reservoir for the disease. The seroprevalence was reached to average 43.9% in the animal and it was revealed that Hokkaido prefecture is one of the important hot spots of the zoonotic disease.
The estimated annual economic loss caused by the disease was 32 billion USD worldwide. On the other hand, the current situation of fasciolosis in Hokkaido prefecture has never been evaluated since no diagnostic tool was available up to date. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to develop an ELISA kit using a reliable recombinant antigen, which can be applied for a worldwide epidemiological survey for human cases performed for the first time.