Evaluation of an immunochromatographic dip-strip test for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in stool specimens.
The study presented here examined the efficacy of a commercially available qualitative immunochromatographic assay for detecting Cryptosporidium oocysts in stool samples. A total of 75 samples were tested, including 50 positive for Cryptosporidium spp. by acid-fast stain, 20 positive for other parasites ( Blastocystis hominis, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura), and five negative samples. The observed sensitivity was 98%, while specificity was 100%; the detection threshold was near 1000 oocysts/ml. Correctly diagnosed positive samples included Cryptosporidium parvum genotypes 1 and 2, whereas the single false-negative sample corresponded to a Cryptosporidium meleagridis infection.
Llorente
M T
MT
Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Hospital Clínico Universitario "Lozano Blesa", C/San Juan Bosco 15, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
Clavel
A
A
Varea
M
M
Olivera
S
S
Castillo
F J
FJ
Sahagún
J
J
Rubio
M C
MC
Gómez-Lus
R
R
D000818:Animals; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D033661:Oocysts / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity