title: The rapid detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia species in clinical stools using the Quik Chek immunoassay.
abstract: Diagnostic testing in the United Kingdom for Cryptosporidium and Giardia species is routinely performed by microscopy. In this study, two hundred stool samples from human clinical cases were examined for the presence of these two parasites comparing microscopy with an antigen immunoassay, Quik Chek (Techlab, Inc.). The Quik Chek assay was shown to have a sensitivity and specificity for Cryptosporidium detection of 87.6% and 98.9% respectively and for Giardia detection, 93.3% and 99.4% respectively. The high correlation with microscopy data provides evidence to support implementation of this rapid test within diagnostic microbiology laboratories.
authors: Scottish Parasite Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Claire.Alexander@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.
authors: Claire L
authors: CL
authors: Alexander
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Niebel
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Jones
mesh_terms: D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005872:Giardia / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008853:Microscopy; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
keywords: Cryptosporidium; Giardia; Immunoassay; Microscopy; Rapid