Specificity of the solid phase alkaline phosphatase immunocapture assay for the diagnosis of human Schistosoma mansoni infection.

The species specificity of the solid phase alkaline phosphatase immunocapture assay (APIA) for the immunological detection of human immunoglobulin G antibodies to the alkaline phosphatase of adult Schistosoma mansoni was evaluated. Sera from schistosomiasis patients from South America, West Africa, south-east Asia and uninfected control subjects were compared. Only the sera of patients infected with S. mansoni gave positive results. There was no apparent difference between 2 populations infected with S. mansoni, one from South America and the other from West Africa. The results with sera from various regions of West Africa were also indistinguishable. Although the APIA was not able to discriminate the geographical origin of the S. mansoni-infected subjects, the method appeared to be specific for S. mansoni and suitable for use in the immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni, particularly in endemic areas where mixed infections of Schistosoma spp. occur.