Evaluation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and counter-current immunoelectrophoresis in diagnosis of experimental trichinosis.

Definite diagnosis of trichinosisis mainly by direct demonstration of larvae, however, these methods are neither feasible nor sensitive. Thus, confirmation relies mainly on positive serology. In this study, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and counter-current immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) using crude larval antigen were assessed as a tool in the diagnosis of trichinosis. Sera were tested one, two, five, eight, and twelve weeks post-infection. It was found that ELISA was positive in all tested sera from the second till the 12th week (100% sensitivity). As regards CIEF, 36% of the sera were positive two weeks post-infection, while all sera were positive at 5 and 8 weeks. Ninety per cent of the tested sera gave positive results at the 12th week post-infection. ELISA proved to be more sensitive in diagnosing trichinosis both early and late in infection, while CIEP test was more specific since no false positive results were noticed.