Serum alpha-feto protein in amoebic liver abscess

Serum alpha-feto protein (AFP) levels were determined using a sensitive and specific ELISA technique in healthy persons (40), patients with amoebic liver abscess (ALA, 70) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, 20). The AFP levels in normal persons ranged between 0 to 20 ng/ml. Most of ALA patients had AFP levels in the normal range; only a small proportion (14.3%) showed elevated levels (range 20-75 ng/ml). Sera from HCC patients had significantly high AFP values in the range of 25 to 340 ng/ml as compared to normal controls and ALA patients. An analysis of serial samples from 10 ALA patients in convalescent phase showed no difference in AFP level during acute and convalescent phase of infection.