[Thin layer immunoassay (TIA). A rapid and simple method for the serodiagnosis of echinococcosis (author's transl)]

The specificity, reproducibility and value of the diagnosis of echinococcosis in the thin layer immunoassay test were determined by the study of 147 human sera. With the reagents used this reaction was specific for serum dilutions of 1/8 or more. Its reproducibility, confirmed on 4 occasions in a series of 60 sera was satisfactory and its diagnostic value in 40 cases of proven hepatic echinococcosis led to 32 positive results (80% of cases). Comparison with indirect haemagglutination, indirect immunofluorescence, electrosyneresis (32 sera) and the ELISA test showed the excellent degree of complementary behaviour of the different reactions. By contrast, the study of sera obtained from two patients at different times after surgical treatment did not show serological peaks similar to those usually seen by indirect immunofluorescence. By virtue of its ease, rapidity and low cost, thin layer immunoassay could no doubt represent in echinococcosis if not a very precise diagnostic test, at least a means of detection suitable for wide use.