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Comparison of Serologic Tests for the Diagnosis and Follow-up of Alveolar Hydatid Disease

Anne P. Lanier^*, Dwayne E. Trujillo, Peter M. Schantz, Joseph F. Wilson, Bruno Gottstein AND Brian J. McMahon

^* Arctic Investigations Laboratory, Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, 225 Eagle Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Departments of Surgery and Medicine, Alaska Native Medical Center, Alaska Area Native Health Service, Indian Health Service P.O. Box 7-741, Anchorage, Alaska 99510
Helminthic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333
Department of Parasitology, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland

Alveolar hydatid disease is a serious and often fatal condition caused by infection with the metacestode form of Echinococcus multilocularis. Sera of 21 patients with histologically confirmed disease were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a semi-purified E. multilocularis antigen fraction (Em₂) and by indirect hemagglutination (IHA) and double diffusion (DD5) tests using antigens prepared from E. granulosus cyst fluid. At diagnosis, sera from all 21 patients were positive by Em₂ ELISA, 18 (86%) by IHA, and 5 (24%) by DD5.

Em₂ ELISA detected an antibody response earlier than IHA in 4 of 9 patients from whom sera were available before diagnosis. Following complete surgical resection, Em₂ ELISA converted from positive to negative in serum of 2 of 3 patients, while IHA results did not change. Following incomplete resection, 14 of 15 patients tested remained positive by Em₂ ELISA, while 12 remained positive by IHA. Of sera from 361 healthy persons from regions free of E. multilocularis, none were positive by Em₂ ELISA, while 8% were positive by IHA. Of sera from 59 patients with non-echinococcal parasitic infections, none were positive by Em₂ ELISA, while 31% were positive by IHA. Thus, in comparison with tests using E. granulosus antigens, Em₂ ELISA appears to be more sensitive and specific for diagnosing AHD, useful on follow-up of resected patients, and positive earlier in the course of disease.

Accepted for publication June 10, 1987.