Echinococcus Antibody IgG (Hydatid Serology) Test

Echinococcus Antibody IgG test is conducted to determine the presence of antibodies that the body produces in response to the presence of tapeworms belonging to the Echinococcus genus. The disease is caused by accidental ingestion of the Echinococcus eggs that leads to formation of cysts in lungs or liver. The test coupled with further imaging tests will provide conclusive proof of the existence of these cysts. The serum or the plasma of the blood is tested for the presence of antibodies.

Inform the doctor about any regular medications that you consume. It may be recommended that you stop taking them a few days before the test. Also inform the lab if you are allergic to latex. Only a few milliliters of blood are required for the test. Also inform the lab if you have ever felt light headed after blood collection. It is recommended that you wear either a sleeveless or half sleeved shirt or a full sleeved shirt whose sleeves can be easily rolled up.

The Echinococcus Antibody IgG test result tells the doctor whether the patient has a tapeworm infection or not. If the result is negative, the patient most likely does not have an infection. However, if he/she is displaying other symptoms of the infection, the doctor can request a second test. If the result is Equivocal, the patient may have the antibodies present in the serum. However, this result is not conclusive and testing needs to be repeated after 10 to 14 days to get a more conclusive result. The doctor may also prescribe other tests to confirm the presence of the cysts. If the result is positive, the patient most likely has an Echinococcus infection. The result still needs to be corroborated with other tests and patient's history.

The blood collection for Echinococcus Antibody IgG test can be performed at a lab or at a clinic. A vein is selected for drawing blood. A rubber strap or tourniquet is secured above the vein. The skin is cleaned using a pad soaked in alcohol. A needle is inserted in to the vein and blood is collected in small tubes. The puncture site is covered with cotton for a little while. The serum is extracted from the blood and sent to the laboratory for testing.