Differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar infections.
In this article, Terry jackson and Jonathan Ravdin briefly review the latest information on monoclonal antibody-based ELISAs that use antigen capture as a tool in the differential detection of human infection with Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar. Current technology of culture and isoenzyme analysis is not widely available, is cumbersome and too time-consuming. A further potential benefit of antigen detection tests is that they can be used to monitor the efficacy of therapy; this is a shortcoming of serological tests owing to the persistence of the antibody response after successful treatment.
Jackson
T F
TF
Amoebiasis Programme, South African Medical Research Council, PO Box 17120, Congella Durban 4013, South Africa.
Ravdin
J I
JI