Evaluation of Materials Sent Due to Suspected Cystic Echinococcosis to the Parasitology Laboratory of Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School Between the Years 2005-2011

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important health problem common in our country. In this study, anti-Echinococcus granulosus IgG antibodies were investigated in the serum samples of 454 patients who attended the Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology between 2005 and 2011. IHA (Fumouze, France) and ELISA (R-Biopharm, Germany) tests were performed at the same time. While serum samples from 328 patients (72%) were negative with both tests, 81 samples (18%) were found to be positive with both tests. Forty (49%) cases were female, 41 (51%) cases were male who were positive by both tests. 25 (31%) positive cases were between 31 and 50 years old. While IHA was negative for 33 patients (7%) ELISA was positive for the same samples. In 2 patients (0.4%), both tests revealed low-positivity. Using these two tests together for serologic detection of cystic echinococcosis could be recommended because of the high sensitivity and specificity ratios.