[Evaluation of ELISA and double diffusion (DD5) test in the diagnosis of human hydatidosis in asymptomatic population].

Background: The early diagnosis of Human Hydatidosis through immunologic methods has been one of the most important activities displayed by the Programme of Struggle (fight) in endemic areas of Argentina, to improve the prediction of the Hydatid patient. It is of great interest to define exactly the advantages and limitations of the DD5 and Elisa techniques in the diagnosis of hydatidosis in inhabited areas with no clinic symptoms of the disease.

Methods: For this, the sensibility, the specification and predictive value of both methods has been evaluated, studying serologically 499 inhabitants from a rural community in the Province of Río Negro. The inhabitants with reactive serology to EIE and/or DD5 are studied by means of images using US, RX and TC. A controlled group is selected according to its un-reactive serology. The cases compatible with Hydatidosis are directed to surgery.

Results: The DD5 technique is shown as 100% specific but with a sensibility of only 31%; on the other hand, EIE at a cutting level of 8 DE presents a specification of 97% with a sensibility of 63%.

Conclusions: It is important to underline the value of the US as the first image prognosis, while the TC, in the present experience, did not show a great number of positive images, allowing only to confirm the US findings.