Comparative evaluation of antigens used in immunofluorescence [IFAT] antibody test for serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis

The diagnostic value of antigens used in the IFAT for serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis has been evaluated. Cryosections of Schistosoma mansoni adults, formaline fixed cercariae and cryosections of infected liver, from gold hamster, which contained granuloma were used as antigens in this evaluation. The cryosections of adult worm were more reliable and more specific as an antigen for immunofluorescence [diagnostic efficacy was 95.52%]. The cercarial antigens gave the same results as the cryosection of adults. The IFAT using cryosection of infected liver contains granuloma was less reliable due to autofluorescence of eggs in the granuloma with negative sera [diagnostic efficacy was 49.01]