[Comparison of the Results of Indirect Hemagglutination and ELISA Methods for the Cases Prediagnosed As Hydatid Cyst Disease]

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the results of indirect hemagglutination (IHA) and ELISA-IgG methods for the patients who were prediagnosed as hydatid cyst disease. Serum samples of 487 cases (301 female, 186 male; age range: 14-69 years) which have been sent to the Parasitology Laboratory of Refik Saydam Hygiene Center between the period of 2003 to 2005 were included to the study. Echinococcus granulosus specific antibodies were searched by commercial IHA (Fumouse Laboratories, France) and ELISA-IgG (r-Biopharm, Germany) kits. Of the serum samples, 284 (58.3%) were found negative, and 173 (35.5%) were found positive with both of the methods. Nineteen samples (3.9%) which were detected as negative by IHA, were found positive by ELISA. In 11 samples (2.3%) which were found negative by ELISA, agglutination reaction were observed at the titers of 1/160-1/1280 by IHA. The results were evaluated by Kappa statistical analysis with 95% confidence intervals and the results of IHA and ELISA tests showed high correlation (kappa = 0.88) by means of the serological diagnosis of hydatid disease. In evaluation of the cases whose sera were positive with both of the methods, no statistical differences was observed in terms of gender (chi2 = 0.08, p = 0.78), and the highest seropositivity (43.4%) rate was observed in the 40-56 years age group. As a result, although our data indicated a high correlation between ELISA and IHA methods, the use of these tests together will be favorable for the screening of suspected patients in terms of comparability and confidency, in routine laboratories which do not have economical limitations.