Risk of underdiagnosing amebic dysentery due to false-negative Entamoeba histolytica antigen detection.
Entamoeba histolytica antigen assays on stool are widely used to diagnose amebiasis. We report a case of confirmed amebic colitis with a false-negative antigen detection that became positive after treatment. Our results indicate that these assays may underdiagnose acute amebic infection when used alone and should be used cautiously.
Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain.
Núria
N
Prim
Pilar
P
Escamilla
Roser
R
Solé
Teresa
T
Llovet
Germán
G
Soriano
Carmen
C
Muñoz
D000328:Adult; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004404:Dysentery, Amebic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan