How to Diagnose Amebiasis
Instructions
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Perform an antigen test to distinguish between the pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar, which does not cause disease or antibody production.
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2
Run an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). This is the best test for making a clinical diagnosis of amebiasis. Techlab of Virginia offers this type of EIA commercially.
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3
Detect antibodies using an indirect hemagglutination antibody (IHA) test when an extraintestinal amebiasis such as amebic liver abscess is suspected. An antibody titer that is greater than 1:256 can be expected in 95 percent of these cases, but the stool samples are frequently negative.
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4
Take an ultrasonography when an amebic liver abscess is suspected and look for a single lesion on the posterosuperior aspect of the right lobe of the liver. This procedure has the advantage of a lack of adverse effects, low cost and speed.
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5
Use a colonoscopy and rectosigmoidoscopy to obtain diagnostic information on intestinal amebiasis. Endoscopy should be considered when the stool examination is negative and a high suspicion of amebiasis exists. Look for small mucosal ulcers with yellowish exudates.
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