Amebiasis Antibodies

Overview:

A positive test may not necessarily indicate active infection, since antibodies may persist for years. The titer is not directly correlated with the severity of the infection, due to the variance in patient response and to the variance in response to the type of infection. A negative response is equally important, as long as ample time has been allowed for antibody production.

The antibody response is greatest in amebic liver abscesses, less in intestinal amebiasis, and still less (or negligible) in asymptomatic cyst passers. Serological results have been shown to detect 90% to 100% of amebic liver abscesses, 80% to 100% of symptomatic intestinal amebiasis, and 10% to 50% of asymptomatic cyst passers.