title: The value of micro-ELISA test in the diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In sero-diagnosis of parasitic infection, it is essential to inspect cross-reactivity between the target parasite and other parasites in order to assess diagnostic performance. The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off value of antibody titer for diagnosis of F. hepatica (FH) infection by using the micro-ELISA and diagnostic performance of this test.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of the following groups: FH group (n=42), Echinococcus granulosus (EG) group (n=27) and control group (n=33). The micro-ELISA test for detection of anti-F. hepatica antibody was performed in all groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The test was positive in all patients with FH, in 3 out of 27 (11%) patients with EG and in none of the control group. Mean antibody titer was significantly higher in the FH group compared to the EG group (23.8 ± 0.9 DU vs. 5.7 ± 1.2 DU; p < 0.001) and compared to the control group (23.8 ± 0.9 DU vs. 2.4 ± 0.2 DU; p < 0.001). When we used 11,5 DU as a cut-off value for sero-diagnosis of FH, the positive predictive value was 93.3%, negative predictive value was 100%, sensitivity was 100%, and specificity was 95%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cross-reactions are an important issue in serological diagnosis of parasitic infections. The micro-ELISA test for FH antibody can not definitely discriminate fascioliasis from hydatid disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey. muhsinkaya20@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Muhsin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: Remzi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beştaş
authors.forename: Muttalip
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Çiçek
authors.forename: Akın
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Önder
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000276:immunology*; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth