SERUM IGM ANTIBODY-RESPONSE TO THE GALACTOSE-INHIBITABLE ADHERENCE LECTIN OF ENTAMEOBA-HISTOLYTICA

An ELISA for detection of serum IgM antibodies to the galactose-inhibi table adherence lectin of Entamoeba histolytica revealed that 2.8% of uninfected controls, 0.0% of controls infected with other parasites, 1 3.4% of asymptomatic amebic infections, 55% of colitis patients, and 7 7% of amebic liver abscess patients from Cairo, Egypt and Durban, Sout h Africa had serum anti lectin IgM antibodies. Of acute amebic colitis patients with symptoms for less than one week, only 6% possessed seru m IgG anti-lectin antibodies, yet 45% had serum IgM antibodies to the amebic lectin. This compares with 65% of sera in acute colitis patient s positive for lectin antigen as determined by ELISA with anti-lectin monoclonal antibodies. In conclusion, an ELISA for serum anti-lectin I gM antibodies appears to have greater clinical utility in the setting of acute amebic colitis than an ELISA for anti-lectin IgG antibodies, but is no more sensitive than an ELISA for detection of lectin antigen in sera.