A comparison of multiplex PCR and sandwich ELISA for the diagnosis of entamoeba histolytica infection in Basrah province

الملخص EN

A total of 100 stool specimens from the patients were used for this purpose, were examined by microscope demonstrated that only 76 ( 76 % ) were positive for E.

histolytica \ E.

dispar complex.

Among these stool samples 64 ( 64 % ) of which were positive by the Sandwich ELISA test.

DNA was extracted from stool specimens and then amplified by multiplex PCR.

Out of these stool samples, 69 were positive by multiplex PCR, with 43 ( 43 % ) the diagnostic fragment characteristic of E.

dispar ( 96 bp ) and 26 ( 26 % ) diagnostic fragment of E.

histolytica ( 132 ).

Among negative samples detected by microscopic examination, one positive for E.

histolytica \ E.

dispar and four positive for E.

dispar by multiplex PCR were observed.

Compared to the multiplex PCR assay, the Sandwich ELISA test was 84 % sensitivity and 100 % specific.

The result demonstrated the importance of the specific technique used for the differentiation between E.

histolytica and E.

dispar.