title: Serological diagnosis of amoebiasis by immunofluorescence.
abstract: A positive serological diagnosis of amoebiasis could be made by immunofluorescence in 66 of 78 established cases, taking a serum titre of 16 or higher as diagnostic: at this level there were no false positives among 94 control sera. The test is simple and may be carried out on amoebic smears stored for several months in 2-octanol. The serological activity is largely confined to the IgG immunoglobulin fraction and is specific for Entamoeba histolytica; cross reactions were not detected with other protozoa. Gel diffusion serological analysis permitted a positive diagnosis of amoebiasis in 60 of the 78 cases, and, combining this with the immunofluorescence test, raised the diagnostic score to 71 cases.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000562:Amebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D004404:Dysentery, Amebic / Q000175:diagnosis; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D008101:Liver Abscess, Amebic / Q000175:diagnosis