EVALUATION OF FASCIOLA EXCRETORY-SECRETORY (E S) PRODUCT IN DIAGNOSISOF ACUTE HUMAN FASCIOLIASIS BY IGM ELISA/

Diagnosis of fasciolosis in the acute phase depends on a sensitive and accurate serological test. The present study is an evaluation of the efficacy of excretory-secretory Fasciola gigantica adult worm antigen by IgM ELISA. Thirty eight patients with acute fasciolosis and 14 in t he chronic phase together with 23 patients with different parasitic in fections were introduced in the study. Seventeen healthy, parasite fre e individuals, were served as controls. A crude excretory-secretory an tigen and its fractions I and II (obtained by gel filtration chromatog raphy on Sephadex G-200) were tested. The crude antigen revealed 100% sensitivity, 94% specificity and 98% accuracy at the cut off level of 0.3 in acute infection. It gave positive results in 77% of chronic cas es. Cross reactions with Schistosoma and Toxoplasma were negligible. A significant positive correlation between IHA titres and ELISA O.D. re adings was observed. Fractions I and II proved of no diagnostic signif icance. The test system F. gigantica E/S product by IgM ELISA is highl y recommended for diagnosis of acute fasciolosis.