Entamoeba Histolytica Extra-Intestinal Amebiasis ELISA Kit

Intended Use:
The Bordier Entamoeba histolytica ELISA kit is intended for the quantitative detection of IgG antibodies against Entamoeba histolytica in human serum. Serology is an aid for diagnosis and cannot be used as the sole method of diagnosis.

Background:
Amebiasis is caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica, a pathogenic amoeba. Humans can be infected by accidentally ingesting amoebic cysts in contaminated food or water. The most frequent symptoms appear during the intestinal stage (stomachache and diarrhea). However, in some cases, the parasite will become extra-intestinally invasive, and thus lead to abscess formation mainly in the liver. Patients will suffer mainly from fever and abdominal pain. Diagnosis of extra intestinal amebiasis is based on imaging techniques, such as CT scans, ultrasonography, and MRIs to detect hepatic lesion and a positive result by serological testing. Serology is also used for excluding amoebiasis in the frame of differential diagnosis with other liver diseases.

Principle and Presentation:
The kit provides all the material needed to perform 96 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) on breakable microtitration wells sensitized with Entamoeba histolytica soluble trophozoite antigens. Specific antibodies in the sample will bind to these antigens and washing will remove unspecific antibodies. The presence of parasite specific antibodies is detected with a Protein A – alkaline phosphatase conjugate. A second washing step will remove unbound conjugate. Revealing bound antibodies is made by the addition of pNPP substrate which turns yellow in the presence of alkaline phosphatase. Color intensity is proportional to the amount of Entamoeba histolytica specific antibodies in the sample. Potassium phosphate is added to stop the reaction. Absorbance at 405 nm is read using an ELISA microplate reader.

The test can be performed with automatic systems, but this must be validated by the user.