Evaluation of two commercial assays for immuno-diagnosis of schistosomiasis

This study aimed to evaluate two commerically available assays for diagnosis of schistosmiasis. One is the Schistofast [ABC Diagnostics] based on antigen detection in serum by dot enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the second Fumouze Schistos-omiasis for detecting antibodies in serum by Indirect Haemaglutination assay [IHA]. The study selected 246 clinically evaluated individuals after thorough examination of urine, stool and rectal snip samples. They were calssified as 184 patients; with primary current infection [84] patients, with late complicated disease and current infection [82], with late complicated disease without current infection [18] and 42 asymptonatic individuals with old treated infection. 20 Schistosome free children without history of contact with, contaminated water. The antibody assay showed [91.6 - 99%] sensitivity among patients with current infection compared with [90-93%] by the antigen assay. As regards patients with previous infection [22 - 85.7%] sensitivity was recorded by the antibody assay compared with [00 - 05%] by the antigen assay. Specificity of both assays were 100% among children lacking contaminated water contact. The antigen assay was easier and more rapid to use but the clarity was much better in the antibody assay. The study recommends the antigen assay for the diagnostic purposes and as a test of cure. The antibody assay is recommended for the epidemiologic purposes

Evaluation of circulating immune complexes in filariasis

Seventy five individuals were selected from El Korein city [endemic area for filariasis in Sharkia Governorate]. They were classified into 4 groups: Group I [20 asymptomatic microfilaraemic]. Group II [20 symptomatic microfilaraemic including 7 patients with fever and retrograde lymphangitis, 5 patients with lymphadinitis and 8 patients with pitting oedema]. Group III [25 symptomatic amicrofilaraemic with chronic filarial presentation: 15 cases with elephantiasis, 5 cases with hydrocoele and 5 cases with chylurea]. Group IV [10 endemic control].Additional fifth group of healthy control from zagazig city which is non endemic for filariasis [l0 non endemic control]. Each group was subjected to complete history, clinical examination, urine and stool analysis, Thick blood film stained by Giemsa stain. Sera separated and tested for detection of circulating antigens and circulating immune complexes using polyclonal antibodies by sandwich ELISA technique, circulating antigens were detected in 85% and 75% of symptomatic microfilaraemic and asymptomatic microfilaraemic groups respectively with high significant difference [P < 0.001] compared to non endemic control. Antigenaemia was detected in 32% of chronic filariasis and in 20% of endemic control but with non significant difference [P> 0.05]. Circulating immune complexes were detected in 100% in both symptomatic microfilaraenic and chronic cases, but in 50% of asymptomatic microfilaraemic and in 20% of endemic control.O.D. reading showed high significant difference with control group [P < 0.001]. Patients with chylurea showed highest level of circulating immune complexes among all clinical presentation while patients with fever and retrograde lymphangitis showed highest level among acute cases. From these results we can conclude that presence of circulating immune complexes in sera of endemic control put this group in risk of developing clinical disease by time