Study of anti-galactose inhibitable adherence lectin IgM as diagnostic tool in acute amoebic diarrhea

ABSTRACT

Humoral IgM, IgG and mucosal IgA response to recmbinant cystein rich portion [designated LC3] of the entamoeba histolytica galactose inhibitable adherence lectin 170KDa subunite were determined in pateints with acute diarrhea. One hundred subjects presented with acute diarrhea subdivided into two groups; 46 pateints with positive foecal GIAP antigen group la and 54 with negative foecal GIAP antigen group Ib. We found that the pateints with amoebic diarrhea group la had anti-LC3 IgM and IgG 68.75%; 69.2% respectively compared with zero percent* in non-invasive amaeba [E. dispar] infestation. Serum anti-LC3 IgG antibodies can differentiate subjects with invasive amoebiasis after one-week duration of illness from those with E. dispar and controls [9.9%]. However, the long life span of IgG led to false positive results especially in endemic areas like Egypt. In conclusion, the early detection of anti-LC3 IgM antibodies is helpful in diagnosis of recent E. histolytica infection