Evaluation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the serodiagnosis of strongyloidosis

ABSTRACT

To evaluate an enzyme- linked immunosorbaent assay using filariform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis to detect specific antibodies in patients with strongytoidosis. Design: Serum samples obtained from individuals infected with strongytoidosis and other parasitic diseases as well as normal people were analyzed by IgG-ELISA using crude antigen of filariform larvae. Setting: School of Public Health Serum Blood Bank, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, volunteers people and selected patients. Subjects: Serum samples were obtained from 46 individuals infected with strongytoidosis, 37 from normal individuals and 379 cases from others with different parasitic infections. Main outcome measures: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the test. Result: The cut-off point was 0.537. The sensitivity of the test was 93.47%, whereas the specificity was 96.15%. The positive and negative predictive values were 72.88% and 99.25% respectively. Three individuals with hydatidosis, one with ascariasis and 12 with toxocariasis had antibodies that were reactive against larval antigen. ELISA method using filariform larval antigen provides a sensitive and specific diagnostic assay