Use of western blot methods for serodiagnosis of hydatidosis in Poland

: 46 sera and 1 cerebrospinal fluid samples from 47 patients suspected of hydatidosis were examined by Western blot method, and the results were compared with those of the indirect haemagglutination, immunoelectrophoresis and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The examinations confirmed high sensitivity and specificity of the reactions with 8 kDa antigenic fraction in the Western blot. The above data supported the concept, that serological diagnosis of hydatidosis should be carried out using a high sensitivity screening test, such as ELISA, then the Western blot method to verify positive results.