ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the diagnostic value of specific IgE antibodies in patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE). For this, 28 non-surgical patients with cysts shown by radiological examination and who were found to be CE positive with commercial IHA and homemade ELISA tests were included in this study. A comparison of the specific IgE levels of these selected 28 patients was made using commercial and homemade ELISA tests. Specific IgE positivity was detected with the commercial kit in 11 and with the homemade ELISA in 13 of the 28 patients who had been diagnosed with cystic echinococcosis using serological tests and radiological examination. In conclusion, our findings supported the theory that specific IgE levels in the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis is low in sensitivity but may be used in follow-up of disease in patients with CE with high specific IgE levels.