TABLE 4.
Sensitivity and specificity of tests of diagnosis for amebiasisa
| Test | Colitis
|
Liver abscess
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | Specificity | Sensitivity | |
| Microscopy (stool) | <60% | 10-50% | <10% |
| Microscopy (abscess fluid) | NAb | NA | <25% |
| Culture with isoenzyme analysis | Lower than antigen or PCR tests | “Gold standard” | <25% |
| Stool antigen detection (ELISA) | >95% | >95% | Usually negative |
| Serum antigen detection (ELISA) | 65% (early) | >90% | ∼75% (late), ∼100% (first 3 days) |
| Abscess antigen detection (ELISA) | NA | NA | ∼100% (before treatment) |
| Salivary antigen detection | Not done | Not done | 70% |
| PCR (stool) | >70% | >90% | Not done |
| Serum antibody detection (ELISA) | >90% | >85% | 70-80% (acute), >90% (convalescent) |
a
Reprinted from reference 220 with permission of the publisher.
b
NA, not available.