title: Evaluation of detection methods for Campylobacter infections among under-fives in Mwanza City, Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Campylobacter species are recognized as a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans throughout the world. The diagnosis is mainly based on stool culture. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of staining methods (Gram stain using 0.3% carbol fuchsin as counter stain and 1% carbol fuchsin direct stain) versus culture as the gold standard.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 300 children attending Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) and the Sekou Toure regional hospital with acute watery diarrhea were enrolled. Two sets of slides were prepared stained with 1% carbol fuchsin for 30 seconds first set, and the second set stained with Gram's stain using 0.3% carbol fuchsin as counter stain for five minutes. Concurrently, stool samples were inoculated on Preston Agar selective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 300 stool specimens, 14(4.7%) showed positive culture after 48 hours of incubation and 28 (9.3%) shows typical morphology of Campylobacter species by both Gram stain and direct stain. The sensitivity of the Gram stain using 0.3% carbol fuchsin as counter stain and 1% carbol fuchsin simple stain versus culture as gold standard was 64.3%, with a specificity of 93.4%. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 32.1% and 98.2% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The detection of Campylobacter by 1% carbol fuchsin is simple, inexpensive, and fast, with both a high sensitivity and specificity. Laboratories in settings with high prevalence of campylobacteriosis and/or limited resources can employ 1% carbol fuchsin direct stain in detecting campylobacter infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Martha Fidelis
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mushi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paterno
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tappe
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Child Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Anna Pendo
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Deogratius
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Jeremiah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seni
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Nyambura
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moremi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Mariam Mwijuma
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mirambo
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Stephen Eliatosha
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mshana
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005840:Gentian Violet; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010619:Phenazines; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: C035863:Gram's stain; D010619:Phenazines; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C006898:carbol-fuchsin solution; D005840:Gentian Violet
keywords: 1% carbol fuchsin; Campylobacteriosis; acute watery diarrhea; gram stain; preston agar