Detection of Giardia lamblia antigen in the feces by counterimmunoelectrophoresis.
The presence of Giardia lamblia antigen in stools of symptomatic and asymptomatic giardiasis patients was studied by counterimmunoelectrophoresis using anti-G. lamblia (Portland strain I) trophozoite antibodies. This test could detect antigen in feces of 94% of giardiasis patients. However, it failed to differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic Giardia infection. There were no false-positive results in children with other diseases. Antigen in the stools disappeared within 1 to 2 weeks after eradication of infection with specific treatment. The overall sensitivity of this test in detecting G. lamblia antigen in stool was 94%, and the specificity was 95%.
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis*; D005872:Giardia / Q000276:immunology*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan