Comparative evaluation of in-house developed latex agglutination test (LAT) with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) -recommended methods for the detection of Bacillus anthracis spores from the soil

In-house developed Bacillus anthracis-specific synthetic peptide-based latex agglutination test (LAT) assay was comparatively evaluated with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-recommended polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/real-time PCR (qPCR) methods for the screening of B. anthracis spores from the soil to provide a simple, rapid, and economical immunodiagnostic test for field application. [Display omitted] •Developed a highly specific LAT for screening of B. anthracis spores from soil.•LAT assay was developed using a specific peptide derived IgY antibodies.•The detection limit of developed LAT was up to 104 spores from the spiked soil.•The utility of developed LAT assay would be useful in limited laboratory settings.