Evaluation in clinical practice of the fluorescent amoebic antibody test

Amoebic hepatic abscess—potential causes of delay in diagnosis

“…2, the history of bloody diarrhoea while in Malta, followed by the development of hepatic abscess 15 years later was compatible with a diagnosis of amoebiasis, although the possibility of a pyogenic abscess could not be excluded. The initial titre of 1/32 in the immunofluorescent antibody test was not diagnostic of active amoebic infection, similar levels being found in patients with previous amoebic infections, and in patients with other, nonamoebic disorders (Jeanes, 1969). However, three out of sixty-one cases of extra-intestinal amoebiasis studied by this test had titres of 1/32 or less (Jeanes, 1969) and the authors would stress that such a low titre should not delay a trial of metronidazole therapy if amoebiasis seems probable clinically.…”

“…The initial titre of 1/32 in the immunofluorescent antibody test was not diagnostic of active amoebic infection, similar levels being found in patients with previous amoebic infections, and in patients with other, nonamoebic disorders (Jeanes, 1969). However, three out of sixty-one cases of extra-intestinal amoebiasis studied by this test had titres of 1/32 or less (Jeanes, 1969) and the authors would stress that such a low titre should not delay a trial of metronidazole therapy if amoebiasis seems probable clinically. The fact that many cryptogenic pyogenic abscesses are due to anaerobic organisms sensitive to metronidazole further supports its early use.…”

External quality assessment scheme for parasite serology; a review of the scheme design and performance

“…For amoebic serology, both a fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) using whole E. histolytica and a cellulose acetate precipitin (CAP) test were used 5 6. For hydatid serology, an ELISA using whole cyst fluid from horse cystic echinococcosis was used 7.…”

The laboratory diagnosis of tropical diseases with special reference to Britain: a review.

“…Patients with repeatedly negative stools, and diagnosed as ulcerative colitis, may occasionally reveal E. histolytica through examination of sigmoidoscopic scrapings of the ulcers, or as a result of giving corticosteroids (Mody, 1959;Kanani and Knight, 1969). The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) cannot be relied on in amoebic dysentery, though it is often positive (Jeanes, 1969;Ambroise-Thomas and Thai, 1972). …”