[The laboratory diagnosis of amoebic infections in man (author's transl)]

The rapid progress made in both theoretical and practical fields in laboratory medicine, in general, and in microbiological diagnostic procedures, in particular, have also led to a significant enlargement of, and improvement in laboratory diagnosis of amoebic infections in man. In all intestinal infections with Entamoeba histolytica the demonstration of the parasite is absolutely essential, but is facilitated nowadays by the great improvement in technical conditions. Immunodiagnostic methods have become of great importance in all cases of extraintestinal manifestation of parasite. By the combined application of several serological tests (latex test + indirect haemagglutination test or latex test + indirect immunofluorescence test) practically 100% of cases of extraintestinal amoebiasis can be detected. When using all available optimum methods of laboratory diagnosis today, it is neither possible to overlook an infection with Entamoeba histolytica nor to make a flase positive diagnosis. Great difficulties are still encountered in the laboratory diagnosis of primary meningoencephalitis caused by free-living amoebae of the Limax group owing to the dramatic course of the disease. Present and possible future methods are discussed.