[Immunofluorescence serologic findings in schistosomiasis. Methodologic aspects]

Abstract

In 101 Africans with schistosomiasis the IFAT showed sensitivity in 71%, in which cases frozen sections of adult Mansoni-bilharzias were used as antigen. An observation of the sensitivity of the IFAT separated according to the species of parasites for the affection with S. mansoni resulted in a by 23% higher sensitivity in contrast to the S. haematobium affection. In double infestation the sensitivity was 77%. Using a soluble S. mansoni antigen the ELISA had a sensitivity of 53% in the affection by S. mansoni and of 33% in the affection by S. haematobium. One month after the treatment the sensitivity of the two methods at first increased (IFAT by 19%, ELISA by 21%) and during the further observation decreased to the initial values 6 months after the therapy and after 1 year still further diminished. In 42 Europeans free of helminths the specificity of the IFAT was 93% and in 52 Africans free of schistosomes from regions with schistosomiasis endemy 88%. The accuracy of the IFAT for the qualitative statement positive and negative was greatest in the serum dilution of 1:26.