title: [Comparison of direct microcopy and antigen casette tests for the detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the direct microscopy used for detection of intestinal parasites with antigen casette tests used in diagnosis of giardiasis and crypyosporidiasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six children who lived in the Şanlıurfa Orphanage were enrolled in this study. The stool specimens were taken in the morning and examined by using native-lugol, modified formalin-ethylacetate concentration methods and cellophane tape method on the same day at the Microbiology laboratory of Harran University. Also Kinyoun-acid fast stained preparations were used for the detection of Cryptosporidium. R-biopharm Cryptosporidium/Giardia casette antigen test was used for the determinaton of giardiasis and crytosporidiasis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the children enrolled in this study was 8.61±3.45 and the distribution of gender was 24 female (52.2%), 22 male (47.8%), respectively. According to stool examinations, 9 of 46 examples (19.60%) were determined as Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium spp. had never been found. The result of the antigen screening casette test showed 9 of 46 samples (19.60%) were positive for G. intestinalis. Also Cryptosporidium spp. had never been found by the antigen casette test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When we compared the results of the direct microscopy and antigen casette tests, we found no significant difference between them for test reliability (p > 0.05). Antigen tests have higher sensitivity (100%) and specifity (100%) than the modified acid-fast staining technique, therefore, it is a preferred reference method . However, an experienced staff working accurately might access the same conclusion. Considering the cost of antigen tests, direct microscopic examination is cheaper, andeasier when it used by an experienced person.
authors.affiliation: Harran Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksekokulu, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye.
authors.forename: Nebiye Yentür
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Doni
authors.forename: Fadile Yildiz
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Zeyrek
authors.forename: Gülcan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gürses
authors.forename: Seray
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tümer
mesh_terms: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan