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The ENZYMEBA test: detection of intestinal Entamoeba histolytica infection by immuno-enzymatic detection of histolysain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

A. L. Luaces
Affiliation:
Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical‘Pedro Kouri’ (IPK), Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba
T. Picó
Affiliation:
Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical‘Pedro Kouri’ (IPK), Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba
A. J. Barrett
Affiliation:
Departament of Biochemistry, Strangeways Research Laboratory, Cambridge CBI 4RN, England

Summary

We describe a new, improved test for the detection of intestinal infection by Entamoeba histolytica. The test depends upon immunoadsorption of the E. histolytica cysteine proteinase, histolysain, from faecal samples, and subsequent visual detection of the enzyme by a colour reaction. With samples from 200 volunteers, results agreed closely with those obtained by the conventional microscopic technique, and there were no false positive reactions with samples containing other parasites. The test is suitable for use either in the laboratory or in the field.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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References

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