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Evaluation of A Fluorescent Antibody Test for Amebiasis Using Two Widely Differing Ameba Strains as Antigen

An "indirect" fluorescent antibody test for antibodies in cases of amebiasis is described. Antigen consists of washed, intact, formalin-fixed amebae from cultures growing with mixed bacteria. Counter-staining with Evans Blue greatly improves ability to determine end-points in titrations.

Antigen from the Huff strain of Entamoeba histolytica, capable of growing at reduced as well as at body temperature, showed far fewer positive reactions than antigen prepared from a virulent, "classic" strain of this species. With the latter antigen, 73.1% of cases with confirmed intestinal amebiasis, and 91.3% of cases with confirmed or unconfirmed extra-intestinal amebiasis were found positive at 1:16 or higher. However, 5 out of 16 individuals without amebic infection were also found positive at low titer. A possible explanation for the false positives and a means for eliminating it are suggested. It is concluded that the test as here presented is technically well-fitted for the experienced laboratory to use, with caution, until more information is accumulated to explain the few anomalous results.