A Study Of Two Immunological Tests In The Diagnosis And Prognosis Of Hydatid Disease

Abstract

Results obtained with intradermal (Casoni) and complement-fixation tests (CFT) in cases of suspected hydatid disease in the United Kingdom studied over a period of 10 yr are reported, and a reassessment is made of the reliability of each test for diagnosis and prognosis. Because of a number of disadvantages, the Casoni test is not recommended for diagnosing current infection. It is useful, however, for indicating past or present infection in a community, and in these circumstances a potent antigen, capable of being used diluted, should be employed.