Entamoeba histolytica antibodies – serum
Last updated: Saturday, 03, April, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5-10 mL blood in plain tube. |
| Method | IHA, CIE, ID. |
| Application | Diagnosis of extraintestinal amoebiasis eg, liver abscess. |
| Interpretation | Most patients with diarrhoea, and asymptomatic carriers, have negative serology. IHA titres >128 support a diagnosis of extraintestinal amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica. Antibody levels remain elevated for prolonged periods. A four fold rise in titre is convincing evidence of recent infection. |
| Reference | Tanyuksel M and Petri WA. Jr Clin Microbiol Rev 2003; 16: 713-729. |