Serologic Diagnosis of Amebiasis

Kerrison Juniper Jr. Departments of Medicine, University of Arkansas Medical Center, Veteran's Administration Hospital, and Arkansas State Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

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Cynthia L. Worrell Departments of Medicine, University of Arkansas Medical Center, Veteran's Administration Hospital, and Arkansas State Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

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M. Cheryl Minshew Departments of Medicine, University of Arkansas Medical Center, Veteran's Administration Hospital, and Arkansas State Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

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Linda S. Roth Departments of Medicine, University of Arkansas Medical Center, Veteran's Administration Hospital, and Arkansas State Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

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Harriet Cypert Departments of Medicine, University of Arkansas Medical Center, Veteran's Administration Hospital, and Arkansas State Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

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Rosa E. Lloyd Departments of Medicine, University of Arkansas Medical Center, Veteran's Administration Hospital, and Arkansas State Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1972.21.157
Volume/Issue:
Volume 21: Issue 2
Page(s):
157–168
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The indirect hemagglutination (IHA), complement fixation (CF), and agar gel diffusion (Gel) tests were evaluated in the diagnosis and management of amebiasis. Axenically-grown Entamoeba histolytica was used as antigen. A survey of 3,033 patients from our hospital population showed IHA titers indicative of infection in 32 patients (1.1%): 6 had parasitologic or clinical evidence of amebic infection and 10 others had additional serologic evidence of E. histolytica antibodies. Of 345 patients in another study with symptoms suggestive of amebiasis, 85% of 107 with proven infections had positive IHA tests. The three serologic tests were compared in 16 extraintestinal and 127 intestinal cases of amebiasis. All tests were positive in 88% of extraintestinal cases. The IHA test was positive in 95, 61, and 58%, respectively, of invasive, symptomatic and asymptomatic colon cases; the CF test in 85, 56, and 58%; and the Gel test in 86, 54, and 52%. The IHA test was somewhat more sensitive and tended to remain positive longer after cure, but all tests often remained positive for 6 to 12 months, and occasionally for 1 to 3 years. The titer was not helpful in differentiating extraintestinal from intestinal, nor even symptomatic from asymptomatic amebiasis. Skilled judgment is essential in clinical use of these serologic tests.

Author Notes

Copyright:
Copyright © 1972 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1972
Accepted:
16 Oct 1971
|
Published Online:
Mar 1972
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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