Comparison of stool microscopy and serology (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) in epidemiology of amebiasis

Stools from 634 individuals from Varanasi were examined for Entamoeba histolytica (EH). Serology was done in these subjects by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) employing filter paper technique. Stools were positive for EH in 16.9%, and serology in 15.9%. Both the tests were positive in only 5.2%. In 72.4% both the tests were negative. In 11.7% of stool positive cases, serology was negative, and in 10.7% with positive serology stool examination did not reveal EH. A majority (92.5%) of stool positive subjects had only cysts. Additional parasites were detected in 15.3%.