Serological diagnosis of tissue-invading parasites in Korea

Abstract

Although intestinal parasites are no longer considered a significant public health concern in Korea, tissue-invading parasites continue to pose clinical challenges. The diagnosis of tissue helminthiasis by recovering worms or larvae from tissues is invasive; therefore, serodiagnosis is widely used to diagnose infections caused by tissue-invading parasites. Among the serological tests, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the most commonly used, and various antigens, including crude antigens, excretory-secretory antigens of helminths, and cystic fluid of larval tapeworms, are used to detect specific IgGs against parasite antigens in the sera or cerebrospinal fluid of patients. A multi-antigen ELISA was used to diagnose four major tissue parasitic infections: clonorchiasis, paragonimiasis, cysticercosis, and sparganosis. In addition to these four parasitic infections, ELISA remains a valuable diagnostic method for toxocariasis, trichinellosis, fascioliasis, echinococcosis, and other diseases. A comprehensive history of the mode of transmission of the suspected parasites and the patient’s residence in or travel to an endemic area may help in making a definitive diagnosis. For the management of patients with eosinophilia in Korea, it is essential to perform ELISA for the differential diagnosis of toxocariasis. Serological tests have the disadvantage of being unable to differentiate between past and current infections, and the possibility of cross-reactivity requires careful interpretation. It is important to note that the results of serological tests are not necessarily conclusive and should be interpreted in the context of other symptoms, as well as clinical and imaging findings.

Keywords

• helminths
• serological tests
• elisa
• korea