Evaluation and Comparison of Enzyme Immunoassay (Eia) and Acid Fast Staining with Confirmation by Immunofluorescent Antibody Assay for Detection of Cryptosporidium Species in Infants and Young Children.

[摘要] Introduction: Cryptosporidiosis is prevalent world wide, causing a variety of problems ranging from acute, self-limiting diarrhea to fatal cases in immunocompromised persons, particulary those with acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS). Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium is made by identification of oocysts in stool specimens. The detection is most commonly made by the acid-fast staining method followed by microscopic examination which has low specificity and sensitivity.Material and Methods: In the present study, we evaluated diagnostic utility of a commercially available enzyme immunoassay (EIA), which detects Cryptosporidium-Specific antigen (CSA) in 204 unprocessed stool specimens obtained from patients less than 3 years of age.Results: When compared with the routine screening procedure applied in this field study (screening by acid-fast staining and microscopy after concentration of positive results by IFA), both sensitivity and specificity were 98%. Of the 139 specimens negative by microscopy, 13 (9.3%) were positive by EIA, 11 of which were confirmed by inhibition with antibody to Cryptosporidia-specific antigen.Conclusion: The EIA is an important tool for identifying Cryptosporidium in fecal specimens in field studies since it is sensitive, specific, simple to use and unaffected by the presence of a preservative.

[学科分类] 药学、药理学、毒理学（综合）

[关键词] demosponge;spiculite;turbidite;Silesian Basin;Outer Carpathians;Cenomanian