Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the serodiagnosis of hydatid disease
Iacona, A.; Pini, C.; Vicari, G.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 29(1): 95-102
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 6986099 Document Number: 156273
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adapted for the measurement of anti-Echinococcus antibodies in human hydatid disease. Tests were made on 91 blood samples from 87 patients with hydatidosis, 55 sera from healthy donors, 13 from schistosomiasis cases, 3 from taeniasis patients, 8 from cases of liver cirrhosis and 6 from cases of cancer. Both the tube method and the microtitration procedure were used successfully but the tube test with a purified hydatid fluid fraction was the method of choice. In 91 sera from hydatid patients, ELISA yielded 63.7% positive results, indirect haemagglutination 55% and double diffusion 70.3%. But false positive results were seen with sera from schistosomiasis or liver cirrhosis. ELISA should be considered not as an alternative test but as a useful additional one.