Co-agglutination (Co-A) test for circulating antigen in hydatid disease.
A co-agglutination (Co-A) test with Staphylococcus aureus (Cowan's strain I) bearing protein A coated with specific hydatid antibodies, was used to demonstrate circulating hydatid antigen in serum for the diagnosis of hydatid disease. The test had a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 89% in detecting hydatid antigen in serum. A false positive reaction was observed with 18.5% of control sera from patients with various parasitic diseases. However, these all gave negative results when tested after further dilution. The test is reliable and rapid; the result could be obtained within 30-45 min of receipt of a serum sample. Since the test is simple and the reagents are inexpensive and easily available, it can be used in less well equipped laboratories in developing countries.
Department of Paediatrics, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
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Shariff
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Parija
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A / Q000276:immunology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A