99% Savings - Buy Just @1 Rs X

99% Savings - Buy Just @1 Rs X

  1. myUpchar
  2. Tests
  3. Echinococcus antibody, IgG Test

What is Echinococcus Antibody IgG test?

Echinococcus antibody test is used to measure IgG antibodies secreted by the body’s immune system against infections caused by the parasite Echinococcus or tapeworm. 

Echinococcus infections are one of the most common parasitic infections in tropical areas. Animals such as dogs, sheep, pigs, cows, and goats host the immature form (larva) of the organism and release them through the stool into the soil. 

Depending on the host animal, the two most common types of Echinococcus that affect humans are:

  • Echinococcus granulosus:  Causes Cystic echinococcosis. Dogs are the definitive host (the parasite reproduces in these). The larvae grow in lungs and liver
  • Echinococcus multilocularis: Causes alveolar echinococcosis. Foxes are the definitive host. This disease is much rarer but fatal.

The larvae enter the human body through contaminated food or water and live in the form of hydatid cysts in various organs such as brain, liver and lungs. Hydatid cysts are complex structures that contain daughter larvae and cysts surrounded by a fluid. These cysts contain the echinococcus antigen, the part of the parasite that induces an immune response. Our body produces various types of antibodies against the Echinococcal antigen. These include IgG, IgM and IgE. Out of these IgG antibodies provide the most accurate diagnosis of an echinococcus infection and is hence the only antibody that is checked in an echinococcus antibody test.

The Echinococcus antibody test is an immunological study in which the antigen-antibody reaction is studied using different types of enzymes or chemicals. These chemicals are mixed with the antigens present in the test kit and produce fluorescence or specific colours if the antibodies in the blood sample react with the antigen in the test kit. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is based on this principle and is chiefly used to detect Echinococcus antibodies in the blood. Various other methods used to detect Echinococcus antibodies are latex agglutination, indirect haemagglutination, radioallergosorbent test and electrophoresis.

  1. Why is an Echinococcus Antibody IgG test performed?
  2. How do you prepare for Echinococcus Antibody IgG test?
  3. How is Echinococcus Antibody IgG test performed?
  4. Echinococcus Antibody IgG test results and normal range

Why is an Echinococcus Antibody IgG test performed?

Doctors order an Echinococcus antibody test along with imaging tests such as ultrasonography, CT scan, X-ray, and liver function tests to make the diagnosis of hydatid disease. The test also helps in evaluating the disease process after the treatment. 

The following symptoms indicate the presence of Echinococcus antigen in the body:

myUpchar doctors after many years of research have created myUpchar Ayurveda Manamrit Capsule by using 100% original and pure herbs of Ayurveda. This Ayurvedic medicine has been recommended by our doctors to lakhs of people for problems like stress, anxiety, and insomnia with good results.
Brahmi Tablets_0
Brahmi Tablets_1
Brahmi Tablets_2
Brahmi Tablets_3
Brahmi Tablets_4
Brahmi Tablets_5
Brahmi Tablets_6
Brahmi Tablets_7
Brahmi Tablets_8
Brahmi Tablets_9
Brahmi Tablets_10
Brahmi Tablets
₹899  ₹999  10% OFF
BUY NOW

How do you prepare for Echinococcus Antibody IgG test?

You don’t need special preparations for this test.

How is Echinococcus Antibody IgG test performed?

A laboratory technician will withdraw a small amount of blood sample from a vein in your arm and collect it in a red-top tube. The sample will immediately be sent to the laboratory for analysis. 

Test reports will be available in one to five days. Minor complications that may occur after the test include excessive bleeding, accumulation of blood or bruising at the site of needle insertion. Some people also feel dizzy or lightheaded after the test. However, most of these symptoms are temporary and tend to subside on their own. Please talk to your doctor if you notice an infection at the blood withdrawal site or if any of the discomforts persist.

Use Melatonin Sleep Support Tablets to get rid of insomnia and have a sound sleep -
Sleeping Tablets_0
Sleeping Tablets_1
Sleeping Tablets_2
Sleeping Tablets_3
Sleeping Tablets_4
Sleeping Tablets_5
Sleeping Tablets_6
Sleeping Tablets_7
Sleeping Tablets
₹499  ₹549  9% OFF
BUY NOW

Echinococcus Antibody IgG test results and normal range

Results of this test are written in terms of index values.

Normal results: 

  • Index value (IV) between 0.000 and 0.890 indicates that the test is negative for Echinococcus IgG antibody. In other words, you don’t have hydatid disease or an Echinococcus infection

Abnormal results: 

  • 0.900-1.109 IV indicates that the presence of IgG Echinococcus antibody is doubtful. In this case, the procedure is repeated after two weeks
  • 1.210 IV and more means that the test is positive for Echinococcus IgG antibody. It could be due to a past or an active infection.

Abnormal results are indicative of hydatid cyst in the body, especially in the liver and lungs.

The chances of false-positive results are high if the Echinococcus antibody test is done using ELISA method. This is because the antibodies for other parasitic diseases such as cysticercosis cross react with the Echinococcus antigen present in the ELISA test kit.

Cysticercosis is a parasite infection caused by the tapeworm called Taenia solium in humans and is responsible for causing seizures or fits. The organism enters the human body through contaminated food and water. So, your doctor may order more than one test to confirm the diagnosis. (Read more: Cysticercosis antibody test)

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.

References

  1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention [internet], Atlanta (GA): US Department of Health and Human Services; Parasites - Echinococcosis
  2. Naik MI, Tenguria RK, Ehtishamul HAQ. Detection of specific IgG, IgM, IgE and IgG subclass antibodies for serological diagnosis of human cystic echinococcosis. Helminthologia. January 2015;52(2):85-88.
  3. Alemaya University. Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative: The Carter Center [internet]. Ethiopia Ministry of Health, Ethiopia Ministry of Education. Lecture notes: Immunology and Serology
  4. Force L, Torres JM, Carrillo A, Buscà J. Evaluation of eight serological tests in the diagnosis of human echinococcosis and follow-up. Clin Infect Dis. 1992 Sep;15(3):473-80. PMID: 1520796.
  5. Bogtish BJ, Carter CE, Oeltmann TN. General Characteristics of the Cestoidean. Human Parasitology. 5th ed. London, UK: Elsevier Academic Press. 2019. Chapter 12.
  6. Gottstein B, Beldi G. Echinococcosis. Infectious Diseases. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. 2017. Chapter 120.
  7. Murray PR. The Clinician and the Microbiology Laboratory. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. 2015. Chapter 16.
  8. Aoyagi K, Ashihara Y, Kasahara Y. Immunoassay and Immunochemistry. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. 2017. Chapter 44.
  9. University of Iowa. Department of Pathology. Laboratory Services Handbook [internet]. Echinococcus Antibody, IgG
  10. A Rafiei, A Jahanshahi, A Talaeizadeh. Evaluation of Specific IgG Antibody Detection in Diagnosis and Post Surgical Monitoring of Cystic Echinococcosis. Iranian Journal of Parasitology. VOL 3, NO 2 (2008).
  11. Cesar M. Gavidia. Diagnosis of Cystic Echinococcosis, Central Peruvian Highlands. Emerg Infect Dis. 2008 Feb; 14(2): 260–266. PMID: 18258119.
Read on app
cross
Ask your health query from live doctors now!