Entamoeba histolytica rapid antigen, Stool

Amebiasis is an infection caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, primarily affecting the intestines but can also spread to other organs like the liver. Amebiasis is common in tropical regions with poor sanitation and can cause significant morbidity if untreated but responds well to appropriate therapy. Can be diagnosed using rapid chromatographic tests that detect specific antigens in stool samples.

Proper collection timing prevent antigen degradation, ensuring optimal sensitivity and specificity for chromatographic stool antigen tests.They are qualitative tests, providing results within 20 to 30 minutes. Such rapid tests offer high sensitivity and specificity, helping to differentiate E. histolytica from nonpathogenic Entamoeba species like E. dispar, which microscopy cannot reliably do. Rapid antigen detection complements traditional diagnosis methods such as microscopy, ELISA-based antigen detection, and PCR.

Stool, ≈5 grams Room Temperature Stability: 14 Days at 2-8 °C

Fresh untreated stool samples only, ideally be collected during the acute phase of infection, when when symptoms such as diarrhea are present and antigen levels are highest

Negative