title: Evaluation of enzyme immunoassay techniques for diagnosis of the most common intestinal protozoa in fecal samples.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate the antigen capture enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) Triage parasite panel and TechLab Entamoeba histolytica II in detecting Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium sp, and Entamoeba histolytica in fecal samples in comparison to microscopy, and in differentiating Entamoeba histolytica from Entamoeba dispar.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Triage EIA was evaluated using 100 stool specimens that were tested by standard ova and parasite examination, including staining with both trichrome and modified acid-fast stains. Differentiation between E. histolytica and E. dispar was performed using TechLab.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Microscopic examination revealed that 19% of the samples were positive for Giardia, 4% for Cryptosporidium, and 1% for E. histolytica/E. dispar, and other parasites were found in 5%. By Triage, 23% of the samples were infected with Giardia, 5% with Cryptosporidium, and 2% with E. histolytica/E. dispar. Triage showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 91.5%. The TechLab assay was negative for both samples diagnosed as E. histolytica/E. dispar by Triage, which suggested that they were E. dispar. Both tests showed no cross-reactivity with other intestinal protozoa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that antigen detection by EIA has the potential to become a valuable tool, capable of making stool diagnostics more effective.
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. drmahagaafar@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Maha R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gaafar
mesh_terms: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic