The value of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for diagnosis of human trichinosis.

Sera were collected from proven cases of trichinosis and other helminthic infections and examined for IgG and IgM antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgG-ELISA was positive in 68.75, 100, and 100% of cases on 23rd, 50th, 57th day of infection while IgM-ELISA was positive in 12.50, 85.71, 93.33% respectively. In the group with parasitic infections other than trichinosis 20.93% were positive by IgG-ELISA and strong cross-reactivity was prominent with intestinal capillariasis. With IgM-ELISA, positivity in the group with other parasitic infections was 9.30%. It was suggested that sera should be examined not before 1 month after infection to achieve maximum sensitivity for serodiagnosis of human trichinosis.