title: A comparison study of different methods used in the detection of Giardia lamblia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare results obtained using a single fecal specimen for O&P examination, direct immunofluorescent assay (DFA), and three immunodiagnostic techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight human fecal specimens were collected and examined by each method. The O&P and the DFA were used as the reference method.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed at the research laboratory in the Medical Technology Department at The University of Southern Mississippi.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fecal specimens were collected from individuals with a suspected Giardia lamblia infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  The amount of agreement and disagreement between methods. 1. The sensitivity and specificity of each method. 2. The working time and cost per specimen for each method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was complete agreement among methods on 52 specimens (21 positive, 31 negative). Eight specimens were positive by all immunologic methods, but negative by O&P. The remaining eight specimens (12%) demonstrated discrepancies among methods. Sensitivity and specificity of each assay ranged from 91% to 100% and 89% to 100%, respectively. The cost per specimen ranged from $11.62 for the DFA method to $32.54 for the O&P method. The average cost per specimen for ELISA and EIA averaged $26.86.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study supported findings of other investigators who concluded that immunologic methods have the greater sensitivity. The immunologic methods were more efficient, quicker, and economical than the conventional O&P method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Technology, Armstrong Atlantic State University, 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419-1997, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aziz
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lux
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hudson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000191:economics; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct / Q000191:economics; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000191:economics; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000191:economics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity