title: Prospective comparison of direct immunofluorescence and conventional staining methods for detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp. in human fecal specimens.
abstract: In a prospective comparative study, 2,696 consecutive fresh stool specimens over the course of 1 year were examined for Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum by using a direct immunofluorescent-monoclonal antibody stain (for unspun specimens) and conventional staining methods (chlorazol black E for Giardia cysts and modified Kinyoun acid-fast for Cryptosporidium oocysts). The direct immunofluorescent-monoclonal antibody method resulted in a significantly increased detection rate for both giardia (118 versus 79 specimens, 49.4%; P = 0.006) and cryptosporidia (39 versus 23 specimens, 69.6%; P = 0.055).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Alles
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Sierra
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mattia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005872:Giardia / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal