Human cryptosporidiosis: detection of specific antibodies in the serum by an indirect immunofluorescence.
Cryptosporidium sp., a coccidian parasite usually found in the faeces of cattle, has been recently implicated as an agent of human intestinal disease, mainly in immunocompromised patients. In the study realized, by an indirect immunofluorescence technique, specific immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) have been demonstrated in human serum against Cryptosporidium oocysts. Purified oocysts were used as antigens in the indirect immunofluorescence assay. After analyzing this test in sera from selected groups of patients, the frequency of both specific IgG and IgM of immunocompetent children who were excreting oocysts in their faeces was 62% and in children with negative excretion of oocytes was 20% and 40%, respectively. In adults infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and who were excreting Cryptosporidium in their stools, the frequency was 57% for IgG but only 2% for IgM. Twenty three percent of immunocompromised adults with not determined excretion of oocysts in their stools had anti-Cryptosporidium IgG in their sera. Children infected with human immunodeficiency virus had no IgM and only 14% had IgG detectable in their sera. The indirect immunofluorescence assay, when used with other parasitological techniques appears to be useful for retrospective population studies and for diagnosis of acute infection. The humoral immune response of HIV positive patients to this protozoan agent needs clarification.
Braz
L M
LM
Instituto de Medicina Tropical da Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil. lmabraz@usp.br
Amato Neto
V
V
Ferrari
C I
CI
Palhares
M C
MC
Amato
V S
VS
Santos
M T
MT
Marques
H H
HH
Vallada
M
M
Nakanishi
L S
LS
Andrade Júnior
H F
HF
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000276:immunology; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan