Entamoeba Antigen, Stool Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Entamoeba Antigen Stool Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | E. histolytica Antigen Test, E. histolytica Stool Ag Test, Entamoeba Ag Test, Amoebic Antigen Test, EIA Test for Amoebiasis |
| Sample Type | Fresh stool (unpreserved) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | Same day to 24 to 48 hours |
| Recommended For | All ages and genders, especially those with gastrointestinal symptoms or recent travel to endemic areas |
| Price | Starting at ₹630 |
What Is an Entamoeba Antigen Stool Test?
The Entamoeba Antigen Stool test is a laboratory test that detects specific proteins (antigens) from the parasite Entamoeba histolytica in a fresh stool sample. Doctors order this test when a patient shows signs of an intestinal infection caused by this parasite. It is also known as the E. histolytica Stool Ag test or the Amoebic Antigen Test. Unlike routine stool microscopy, this test specifically identifies the disease-causing species, making it a more targeted diagnostic tool.
What Does an Entamoeba Antigen, Stool Test Measure?
This test looks for a single, specific marker in the stool sample. Here is what it detects:
| Parameter | What It Detects |
|---|---|
| E. histolytica antigen (Gal/GalNAc lectin) | A protein on the surface of the parasite that helps it attach to the walls of the intestine |
The test uses specialised antibodies to identify this protein. Crucially, it detects only the pathogenic (disease-causing) E. histolytica and does not react to E. dispar, a harmless species that looks identical under a microscope. This distinction is important for avoiding unnecessary treatment.
Why Is an Entamoeba Antigen, Stool Test Done?
This test is requested when a doctor suspects an intestinal infection caused by E. histolytica, a single-celled parasite.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may recommend the Entamoeba Ag test when a patient presents with any of the following:
- Persistent or recurring diarrhoea
- Bloody or mucus-laden stools
- Cramping or pain in the abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Nausea or excessive flatulence (wind)
- Fever alongside digestive symptoms
- Recent travel to tropical or developing regions
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The test can help identify the following conditions:
- Amoebiasis — an intestinal infection caused by E. histolytica
- Amoebic dysentery — a severe form involving bloody diarrhoea with mucus
- Amoebic colitis — inflammation of the large intestine due to the parasite
- Amoebic liver abscess — a complication where the parasite spreads to the liver via the bloodstream
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparing correctly for this test helps ensure an accurate result.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is needed before this test. You can eat and drink normally on the day of collection. However, certain substances can interfere with the result. If you are taking antidiarrhoeal drugs, antibiotics, or antacids, let your doctor know before collecting the sample, as these may affect the accuracy of the test.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep the following points in mind before collecting your sample:
- Use only the sterile container provided by the laboratory.
- Do not use containers with any preservative or fixative.
- Inform your doctor about all medications you are currently taking.
- Avoid using laxatives or enemas before collection.
- Do not allow the sample to contact urine, water, or toilet paper.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Collecting a stool sample is straightforward. Here is what to expect:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you begin.
- Place a clean, dry sheet of paper or plastic wrap over the toilet bowl to catch the stool without it touching the water.
- Collect approximately 2 grams of fresh stool (about the size of a small marble) into the sterile container provided.
- Ensure no urine or toilet water mixes with the sample.
- Seal the container firmly, and write your name, date, and time of collection on the label.
- Deliver the sample to the laboratory as quickly as possible, ideally within a few hours of collection.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may affect the reliability of your result:
- Contamination of the sample with urine or toilet water
- Delayed delivery of the sample to the laboratory
- Recent use of antibiotics, antidiarrhoeal medicines, or antacids
- Use of preservatives or fixatives in the collection container
- Dehydration or prior use of barium-containing medications
Understanding Your Entamoeba Antigen Stool Test Results
Results should always be reviewed alongside your symptoms and medical history. Below is the reference range for this test:
| Parameter | Expected Result | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| E. histolytica Antigen | Not Detected (Negative) | No active infection with this parasite detected |
| E. histolytica Antigen | Detected (Positive) | Active infection with E. histolytica is likely present |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can affect how results are interpreted:
- Patients with a weakened immune system may show altered responses to the infection, which can complicate the interpretation of results. Your doctor will take this into account.
- If you have recently taken antibiotics or antiparasitic medications, these may reduce antigen levels in the stool and could lead to a falsely negative result.
- In cases of amoebic liver abscess, stool antigen tests are often negative, since the parasite may not be present in the stool. A blood-based antibody test is typically more useful in these situations.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general hygiene and lifestyle habits can help reduce the risk of infection:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before meals and after using the toilet.
- When travelling to areas where amoebiasis is common, drink only bottled or boiled water and avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruits.
- Avoid food or drinks prepared in conditions where hygiene is uncertain.
Lupin Diagnostics Entamoeba Antigen Stool Test Price and Home Collection
The Entamoeba Antigen Stool test starts at approximately ₹630 at Lupin Diagnostics, with home sample collection available across major cities.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹700 |
| Bengaluru | ₹630 |
| Chennai | ₹630 |
| Hyderabad | ₹700 |
| Kolkata | ₹650 |
| Pune | ₹630 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home sample collection for the Entamoeba Ag test near me across cities in India, so you can get tested from the comfort of your home. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by experienced professionals. Digital reports are shared promptly via email or WhatsApp once ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Entamoeba Antigen Stool test is used to detect an active infection caused by the parasite Entamoeba htmlolytica in the digestive system. It is ordered when a patient has symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea, bloody stools, or abdominal pain, particularly after travel to tropical regions.
Routine microscopy cannot tell apart the disease-causing E. htmlolytica from the harmless E. dispar, as both look identical under a microscope. The E. htmlolytica Stool Ag test uses specific antibodies to detect only the pathogenic species, making it more accurate and clinically useful.
Collect a fresh stool sample in the sterile container provided by the laboratory. Make sure the sample does not come into contact with urine, water, or toilet paper. Do not use any preservative. Deliver the sample to the lab promptly, ideally within a few hours.
Not reliably. When the infection has spread to the liver, the parasite is often absent from the stool, so the antigen test may return a negative result. In such cases, a blood antibody test is more appropriate for diagnosis.
Anyone experiencing persistent diarrhoea (especially if bloody), stomach cramping, unexplained weight loss, or nausea should consider this test. It is particularly relevant for those who have recently travelled to areas where amoebiasis is common, such as parts of Africa, South Asia, or Central and South America.
The test is highly accurate for detecting active intestinal infection, with reported specificity of 97% and sensitivity of 100% in published studies. However, it may miss cases where the infection has spread outside the intestine, such as to the liver.
Entamoeba Antigen, Stool Test: Booking, Price, and Results
