title: Evaluation of an immunochromatographic dip-strip test for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in stool specimens.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Hospital Clínico Universitario "Lozano Blesa", C/San Juan Bosco 15, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Llorente
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clavel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varea
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olivera
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sahagún
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gómez-Lus
mesh_terms: 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