Comparative Study of the Antibody Response in Amebiasis

Abstract

Microimmunoelectrophoretic analysis (MIEP) was carried out with axenically cultivated Entamoeba histolytica and sera from cases of proved amebic disease. The serum samples were taken before and at varying time intervals after treatment. The antibody response, as determined by immunoelectrophoresis, was related to indirect hemagglutination (IHA) titer and time after successful treatment. Certain antigen-antibody arcs were lost with the passage of time, and the lability and stability of the antibodies or antigens, or both, in human disease is discussed. The value of combining MIEP with IHA for differentiating between antibodies present during active disease and those persisting after cure is also discussed.