Evaluation of laboratory techniques for diagnosis of amoebiasis

Evaluation of 82 cases of amoebiasis including 4 of liver abscess was done. Microscopy of 62 stool samples revealed trophozoites in 19 (30.6%) and cysts in 8 (12.9%). PVA preserved samples were stained by iron-hamatoxylin and trichrome. Twenty-nine samples (46.7%) were positive by culture on Endamoeba, NIH and Charcoal agar. Additional two culture positive cases were negative by direct microscopy. Three (75%) samples of liver abscess pus were culture positive. Of the sera screened for amoebic antibodies by ELISA, 13 (17.3%) were positive. Stool and blood of healthy controls and 25 gastroenteritis cases were similarly analysed. Of healthy controls one had a high ELISA titre.