Immunodiagnosis of human hydatid disease: applications and contributions to a control program in Argentina

The sequential development of the hydatid immunodiagnostic activities of the control program of the Province of Neuquén, Argentina is described. Test results were used to obtain immunological confirmation of clinical cases and to detect asymptomatic cyst carriers amongst residents of rural endemic areas. The information was also valuable for improving the accuracy of prevalence estimates of human hydatidosis and the quality of surveillance data in different areas of the Province, characterized by varying degrees of environmental contamination by Echinococcus granulosus. In population groups examined by radiologic and immunologic methods, the latter detected more cases. When only immunodiagnostic surveys were carried out, mostly liver but also pulmonary hydatidosis cases were detected. This experience illustrates the advantages which may be obtained in endemic areas through the local application of hydatid immunodiagnosis based on arc 5 positivity.