EFFECTIVENESS OF MICROBIOLOGICAL AND SEROLOGICAL TESTS IN THE DETECTION OF INTESTINAL INFECTIONS

Аннотация

Intestinal infections remain a major public health concern globally due to their impact on morbidity and mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations. Rapid and accurate detection is essential for effective treatment and control. This study evaluates the effectiveness of microbiological and serological tests in the diagnosis of intestinal infections. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300patients presenting with symptoms of gastrointestinal distress at multiple healthcare centers. Microbiological testing included stool cultures, microscopic examination, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, while serological testing was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and agglutination methods. The results indicate that while microbiological tests offer high specificity, serological tests provide greater sensitivity in detecting a broader range of pathogens, particularly in cases where direct detection methods are limited by low pathogen load. These findings support the integration of both test types in diagnostic protocols to enhance overall diagnostic accuracy [1]. Keywords: intestinal infections, microbiological tests, serological tests, ELISA, PCR, diagnostic accuracy