Specific anti-amoebic immunoglobulins and the cellulose acetate precipitin test in Entamoeba histolytica infection.

Using the indirect fluorescent antibody test and sera from 10 proved cases of invasive amoebiasis, the effects of absorption of IgG on observed titres of amoeba-specific IgM and IgA were investigated. In addition, results of cellulose acetate precipitin tests were compared with anti-amoebic antibody levels. Antiamoebic IgM was found at titres of 1:14 to 1:112 after IgG absorption in four cases. Anti-amoebic IgA was detected in sera from four cases, but the maximum titre was 1:28. There was no relationship between the presence of amoeba-specific IgM or IgA and the result of the precipitin test, but a raised anti-amoebic IgG level was consistently found where the precipitin test was positive. However, sera with raised amoeba-specific IgG levels did not invariably give a positive precipitin reaction.