[Update on and evaluation of an IgG ELISA technique for the diagnosis of human hydatidosis]

The methodology to carry out a diagnostic test for hydatid disease is reported. Full hydatid fluid was used as antigen and specific IgG was detected. 61 sera from patients in whom hydatid disease was subsequently confirmed at surgery, 28 sera of patients with other diseases and 16 sera from blood donors were evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity were established on the basis of statistical criteria. In the group of patients with hydatid disease, sensitivity was 98.4%, with only one nonreactive serum. Specificity was 60.6% and was higher with increasing age of the patients or depending on the cyst localization (it was higher in hepatic than in pulmonary cysts).