PVC-ELISA for detection of human trichinellosis and its value of field application was explored during 1988-1994. Sera of 56 cases of clinically confirmed trichinellosis were tested for serum Trichinella antibodies by way of PVC-ELISA, and the positive rate was 100%. When the sera of 80 cases of healthy persons from non-endemic areas were tested for trichinellosis, they were all negative. For the purpose of exploring the cross-reaction of PVC-ELISA used for detection of trichinellosis, sera from 144 cases of other parasitoses were tested. Among them, the sera of 80 cases of schistosomiasis japonica for trichinellosis were negative; 30 cases of paragonimiasis and 30 cases of clonorchiasis were also negative. Among sera of 4 cases of cysticercosis, there was only one positive. The results showed that PVC-ELISA for trichinellosis had a high sensitivity and specificity. For field application, a population of 800 from endemic areas were examined by PVC-ELISA, 85 (10.63%) were positive. The infected persons were mainly in Xiangfan region of Hubei Province. The percentage of the positive of trichinellosis in Xiangfan region was 64.71% (55/85). The positive rate of males and females was 13.41% (57/425) and 7.47% (28/375), respectively. There was a difference among the age groups, with the highest in those > or = 20 years. The findings of this field investigation suggested that the infection rate of trichinellosis spiralis was high in this province, especially in the Xiangfan region; and that PVC-ELISA was suitable for field application. The emphasis of trichinellosis control and research of this province should be in the Xiangfan region.