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Serological differentiation between Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis infections in man.
Zeitschrift Fur Parasitenkunde (Berlin, Germany)
|January 1, 1983
Summary
This study developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for differentiating cystic echinococcosis (caused by Echinococcus granulosus) and alveolar echinococcosis (caused by E. multilocularis) using specific antigen fractions. The assay achieved 95% accuracy in diagnosing 57 human cases.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Immunodiagnostics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are serious parasitic infections caused by Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis, respectively.
- Accurate serological differentiation between CE and AE is crucial for appropriate patient management and treatment strategies.
- Current diagnostic methods may present challenges in distinguishing between these two forms of echinococcosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serological differential diagnosis of human cystic and alveolar echinococcosis.
- To isolate and characterize specific antigen fractions from Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode tissue for improved diagnostic accuracy.
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a novel ELISA utilizing these antigen fractions in confirmed human echinococcosis cases.
Main Methods:
- Affinity chromatography was employed to isolate a shared antigen fraction (Em 1) from E. multilocularis.
- Immundosorption was used to prepare a specific antigen fraction (Em 2) for E. multilocularis.
- An ELISA was developed using both Em 1 and Em 2 antigens for detecting antibodies in patient sera.
Main Results:
- Antigen Em 1 demonstrated equal sensitivity for detecting antibodies against both E. granulosus and E. multilocularis.
- Antigen fraction Em 2 showed higher specificity for detecting antibodies related to E. multilocularis infections.
- The simultaneous use of both antigen fractions in the ELISA achieved a 95% correct serological differential diagnosis in 57 confirmed human echinococcosis cases.
Conclusions:
- The developed ELISA, utilizing distinct antigen fractions Em 1 and Em 2, provides a reliable method for the serological differentiation of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis.
- This diagnostic approach enhances the accuracy of distinguishing between E. granulosus and E. multilocularis infections in humans.
- The findings support the clinical utility of this improved ELISA for diagnosing echinococcosis.