Evaluation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and counter-current immunoelectrophoresis in diagnosis of experimental trichinosis.

: Definite diagnosis of trichinosisis mainly by direct demonstration of larvae, however, these methods are neither feasible nor sensitive. Thus, confirmation relies mainly on positive serology. In this study, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and counter-current immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) using crude larval antigen were assessed as a tool in the diagnosis of trichinosis. Sera were tested one, two, five, eight, and twelve weeks post-infection. It was found that ELISA was positive in all tested sera from the second till the 12th week (100% sensitivity). As regards CIEF, 36% of the sera were positive two weeks post-infection, while all sera were positive at 5 and 8 weeks. Ninety per cent of the tested sera gave positive results at the 12th week post-infection. ELISA proved to be more sensitive in diagnosing trichinosis both early and late in infection, while CIEP test was more specific since no false positive results were noticed.