Uvitex 2B stain for the diagnosis of Isospora belli infections in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Fluorescent stains with Uvitex 2B or other fluorochromes are widely used today, especially for the diagnosis of microsporidian infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Our objective was to ascertain whether the fluorescent stain with Uvitex 2B is also able to detect Isospora belli in stool samples and duodenal/bile juice of HIV-infected patients.


METHODS
Case study.


METHODS
University hospital of the University of Cologne, Germany.


METHODS
Two HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhea who had intestinal infections with I. belli.


METHODS
Stool was concentrated by a modified water-ether sedimentation method, and duodenal/bile juice was concentrated by centrifugation. Wet-mount preparations were examined by phase-contrast and bright-field microscopy, and smears were stained with a modified acid-fast stain and a fluorescent stain with Uvitex 2B.


RESULTS
Using the fluorescent stain with Uvitex 2B, the oocysts of I. belli stained bright white/blue fluorescent and showed a structure similar to that of the oocysts in acidfast stains.


CONCLUSIONS
Staining with Uvitex 2B is a suitable method for the diagnosis of I. belli infections. This technique can be used for the diagnosis of three important gastrointestinal parasites (viz, microsporidia, cryptosporidia, and I. belli) responsible for diarrhea in HIV-infected patients.
Franzen
C
C
Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Cologne, Germany.
Müller
A
A
Salzberger
B
B
Hartmann
P
P
Diehl
V
V
Fätkenheuer
G
G
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000469:parasitology; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D001646:Bile / Q000469:parasitology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D007549:Isospora / Q000302:isolation & purification; D021865:Isosporiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C058352:4,4'-bis(2-di(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-4-(3-sulphophenylamino)-1,3,5-triazine-6-ylamino)stilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid