title: Comparison of direct immunofluorescence, modified acid-fast staining, and enzyme immunoassay techniques for detection of Cryptosporidium spp in naturally exposed kittens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining technique (mZN), a direct immunofluorescence detection procedure (DIF), and 3 commercial enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in fecal specimens from kittens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  416 fecal specimens collected from 104 randomly selected domestic shorthair kittens (8 to 16 weeks of age) that were naturally exposed to Cryptosporidium spp.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh fecal specimens were collected once daily for 4 consecutive days and processed immediately. Sensitivities of mZN, DIF, and 3 commercial EIAs (EIA-1, EIA-2, and EIA-3) were estimated and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EIA-2 had the highest sensitivity on day 1 (89%), followed by EIA-1 (80%), and mZN (72%). EIA-3 had the lowest sensitivity on day 1 (15%). EIA-2, EIA-1, and mZN had similar sensitivities after 2 consecutive fecal examinations (approx 90%). Determination of specificities was compromised by the small number of cats that had negative results for all tests (n = 3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that EIA-2 and EIA-1 had the highest sensitivities when only a single fecal specimen was examined; however, mZN and EIA-1 had similar sensitivities when 2 consecutive fecal specimens were examined. The higher costs of EIA-2 and EIA-1 may be offset by the tests' high sensitivity, simplicity of use, and ease of interpretation and by savings in technician time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Stanley L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Timothy E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Ann C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Melli
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002415:Cats; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000143:Acids