This microplate based ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) kit is intended for the qualitative detection of Giardia labmlia antigen in feces. The assay is a useful tool in the detection of active Giardia lamblia infection in acute or chronic gastroenteritis.

Background:
Celiac disease or gluten sensitive enteropathy is characterized by atrophy of the small intestinal villi leading to a so-called flat mucosa occurring in both adults and children. It is caused by a pathological intolerance to gliadin results in inflammation and atrophy of the mucosa of the small intestine. Clinical manifestations include malabsorption with symptoms of diarrhea, steatorrhea and nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. Secondary immunologic illnesses, such as atopic dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, alopecia and aphthous ulcers may be the primary presentation. As celiac disease is caused by the uptake of gluten, consequently a gluten-free diet cures the disease completely and thus has to be maintained for lifetime. Renewed consumption of gliadin leads to a recurrence of the disease symptoms. The disease is HLA-associated (>95% of patients have DQ2 encoded by DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201) and manifests at any age. A high incidence range up to 1:300 was found in European countries and approximately 1:250 in the United States.

Clinical diagnosis of celiac disease is made by small intestinal biopsy and supported by serological markers. Human antibodies against gliadin and tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) are of major serological markers. Circulating IgG and IgA antibodies to gliadin are found in the serum of most but not all celiac disease patients. Both IgG and IgA antibodies are detected in sera of patients with gluten-sensitive
enteropathy. It was reported that IgA antibodies are less sensitive but more specific markers of the disease and their measurement is useful in following disease activity and monitoring maintenance of a gluten-free diet. IgG antibodies appear to be more sensitive but less specific markers of disease than IgA. It is recommended that both antibodies should be measured due to the high incidence of IgA deficiency among celiac patients, which may mask the disease. Antibody testing is also important in detecting individuals who are at risk for having celiac disease but have no symptoms, in individuals with atypical symptoms or extra-intestinal manifestations of celiac disease and in individuals with presumed celiac disease who fail to respond to a gluten-free diet. Patients with positive antibody tests must undergo small intestine biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and assess the degree of mucosal involvement. Antibodies to gliadin may be the only serological marker in neonates, as anti-tTG and EMA auto-antibodies are not present at this age. Consequently anti-gliadin antibodies are the earliest serological marker for pediatricians when diagnosing celiac disease.

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.