An improved PVC strip ML-ELISA technique for diagnosis of recent cases of amoebiasis.

Conventional plate ML-ELISA technique for diagnosis of recent cases of amoebiasis was converted into a simple polyvinyl chloride strip multilayer-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (PVC strip ML-ELISA). This report details the development and preliminary characterization of the PVC strip ML-ELISA method for Entamoeba histolytica antigen detection in human fecal samples. In addition, we evaluated the relative efficacies of the PVC strip ML-ELISA and the conventional plate ML-ELISA methods by screening different categories of amoebiasis patients and other intestinal parasites. A significant correlation was found (P less than 0.01) between the two assay methods with reference to sensitivity and specificity of detecting E. histolytica antigens. However, with reference to operational case and economy, the PVC strip ML-ELISA may be performed even by paramedical technical personnel under field conditions.