Field comparison of immunodiagnostic and parasitological techniques for the detection of Schistosomiasis japonica in the People's Republic of China

A total of 1,811 individuals from two villages located in the areas of China endemic for Schistosoma japonicum were analyzed by the Kato-Katz parasitologic examination, indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis of the results showed the kappa indices ranged from 0.106 to 0.234 between IHA and the stool examination and ranged from 0.037 to 0.134 between ELISA and the fecal examination. The sensitivity value of the IHA was 83.7% in Village A and 92.3% in Village B; the specificity value of the IHA was 55.86/. in Village A and 67.3% in Village B. The sensitivity value of the ELISA was 88.4% in Village A and 96.2% in Village B; the specificity value of the ELISA was 38.4% in both Village A and Village B. A search for a good diagnostic test that can be applied in field situations in China should be given high priority.