Evaluation of an ELISA for the diagnosis of human infection with S. haematobium.

ShSEA prepared from eggs collected from urine samples of infected humans and SmSEA prepared from eggs collected from infected hamsters were tested in an ELISA against 226 human sera classified in four groups, 30 normal controls, 82 S. mansoni infected, 64 S. haematobium infected and 50 with concurrent infection with both species. ELISA proved to be efficient diagnostic test for schistosomiasis giving 98-100% sensitivity, but low species specificity, 23-28%. However, the mean absorbance value of S. haematobium infection sera was significantly higher with homologous than heterologous antigens which indicate the presence of S. haematobium species-specific antigens.