Abstract

Antigen screening were conducted to stool samples from 60 patients admitted to our emergency department with diarrhea complaint between June 2009 and October 2009 by the methods of direct microscopic examination, trichrome staining, ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), respectively. As a result of examination of total 60 samples with direct microscopic, trichrome staining and ELISA method, it was detected positive in 7(11.3%), 6(9.7%) and 8(12.9%) samples, respectively. The presence of Entamoeba histolytica has been accepted exactly in the samples in which ELISA test results were positive and necessary treatment of patients has been started immediately. Due to precise pathogen protozoan discrimination has not been performed with the direct microscopic examination, it was emphasized that unnecessary drug therapy would be prevented as a result of detection of presence of E. histolytica specific antigen by ELISA  in the samples sent to the laboratory with the diagnosis of amoebiasis by concerned physician.

Key words: Entamoeba histolytica, diarrhea, diagnosis.