Western blot assay of anti-Echinococcus granulosus antibody positive serum samples by indirect haemagglutination method

Abstract

Objective: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease mainly caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus which is common in rural areas in Turkey. A multidisciplinary approach consisting of clinicians, radiologists and microbiologists is required for the proper diagnosis of the disease. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests are preferred in the primer diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE), while western blot (WB) is used to confirm the disease. However the use of serologic tests alone in diagnosis and follow-up of the disease is not recommended due to variable sensitivity and specificity rates and multiple serologic tests are required for appropriate diagnosis. In this study, it was aimed to compare the test results of patients sera sent to Gazi University Medical Faculty Microbiology Laboratory, between December 2015 and December 2016, with the preliminary diagnosis of CE, by WB test after those titrated with IHA. It is also aimed to determine the consistency between the two tests.