Evaluation of an ELISA test in past and present schistosomiasis

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was evaluated in relation to an indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test in schistosomiasis patients who were classified by clinical, sonographic and direct methods of diagnosis. Sensitivities of ELISA and IHA respectively proved to be 100% and 69.23% in acute simple intestinal schistosomiasis; 95.5% and 90.4% in chronic active schistosomiasis patients; 86.06% and 67.41% in patients with past history of exposure; 80% and 64.28% in patients with hepatosplenomegaly with past history of schistosomiasis, and 96% and 80% in patients with hepatic fibrosis as shown by sonar. It was apparent that ELISA is more sensitive than IHA in acute simple schistosomiasis in patients with past history of exposure, those with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly and those with hepatic fibrosis. Both tests were nearly equally sensitive in chronic active schistosomiasis.