COUNTERCURRENT IMMUNOELECTROPHORESIS TEST FOR SERODIAGNOSIS OF HYDATID-DISEASE BY DETECTION OF CIRCULATING HYDATID ANTIGEN

Counter-current immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) was standardized and evaluated to demonstrate circulating hydatid antigen in sera for the diagnosis of hydatid disease. The test is moderately sensitive and it could detect circulating antigen in 55.55% of surgically proved and 100% ultrasound proved hydatid disease cases. It is highly specific and no false positive reactions were observed with the sera from diseased or healthy controls. This test is simple, inexpensive and rapid with the results being obtainable within almost-equal-to 45-60 min after the receipt of the sera. This is a test with a potential for wider application in the serodiagnosis of hydatid disease in poorly equipped laboratories of developing countries.