Evaluation of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgG in the diagnosis of human hydatid disease.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ELISA for IgG antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus in detecting hydatid disease of liver and lung. The levels of IgG antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus were measured by indirect ELISA. A total of 32 patients were included in this study of which 20 had hydatid cysts in liver and 12 had in lung. Among 20 patients with hydatid cysts of liver, 18 had positive serology while 2 had negative serology. In patients having cysts in lung, 9 had positive serology while 3 had negative. The test showed 90% sensitivity in the diagnosis of hepatic cysts. However the sensitivity of this test was only 75% for pulmonary cysts. The overall diagnostic sensitivity of IgG ELISA in the diagnosis of both liver and lung hydatidosis was 84.37%. Conclusion: ELISA test is a sensitive test and can be used in the diagnosis of human hydatidosis.