ABSTRACT
The results of an epidemiological survey on surgical cases of human hydatidosis in 9 italian regions (Central, Southern and Insular Italy) with the highest incidence of disease and a population of 27,054,000 inhabitants are reported. The period considered was from 1980 through 1984. 2,592 cases have been collected and related to sex, age, occupation, residence of surgically treated patients and cyst localization. Comparison of results from the present and a previous survey was carried out.
Subject(s)
Echinococcosis/epidemiology , Animals , Cohort Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Echinococcosis/pathology , Echinococcosis/surgery , Echinococcosis/veterinary , Humans , Italy/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Several antigen fractions were prepared from sheep hydatid fluid and scolices of Echinococcus granulosus by salting out with ammonium sulphate. Sera from subjects with hydatid disease and from uninfected controls were assayed by the IHA, Latex, ELISA and Complement Fixation tests. The greatest sensitivity was given by the hydatid fluid 0.8 M fraction in the IHA test. This antigen also gave good results with the ELISA technique. Antigens from sheep fertile fluid were diagnostically superior to those from scolices. The specificity was excellent for all antigens examined.
Subject(s)
Antigens, Helminth/analysis , Echinococcosis/immunology , Echinococcus/immunology , Antibodies/analysis , Complement Fixation Tests , Echinococcosis/diagnosis , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Hemagglutination Tests , Humans , Latex Fixation TestsABSTRACT
Human hydatidosis-positive sera, which resulted negative in serological tests but positive on surgery, were examined with I.H.A. and E.L.I.S.A. techniques using a standardized antigen and a new antigen (the 0.8 M antigen) from sheep hydatid fluid. The present study demonstrated that the 0.8 M antigen was the most effective, and that sensitivity of any given antigen depends upon the method adopted.
Subject(s)
Antibodies/analysis , Echinococcosis/diagnosis , Echinococcus/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Antigens/immunology , Child , Child, Preschool , Echinococcosis, Hepatic/diagnosis , Echinococcosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , False Negative Reactions , Female , Hemagglutination Tests , Humans , Immunoglobulins/analysis , Male , Middle Aged , Splenic Diseases/diagnosisABSTRACT
Hydatid fluids were collected in three continents and used as antigens against both human E. granulosus and E. multilocularis hydatidosis-positive sera collected in the same countries, in ELISA. The sensitivity of the antigens was good for all sera examined and this confirms the existence of common antigens, which is particularly marked in the 0.8M fraction of Italian hydatid fluid.
