Evaluation of an immunochromatographic dip-strip test for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in stool specimens

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2002 Aug;21(8):624-5. doi: 10.1007/s10096-002-0778-1. Epub 2002 Aug 10.

Abstract

The study presented here examined the efficacy of a commercially available qualitative immunochromatographic assay for detecting Cryptosporidium oocysts in stool samples. A total of 75 samples were tested, including 50 positive for Cryptosporidium spp. by acid-fast stain, 20 positive for other parasites ( Blastocystis hominis, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura), and five negative samples. The observed sensitivity was 98%, while specificity was 100%; the detection threshold was near 1000 oocysts/ml. Correctly diagnosed positive samples included Cryptosporidium parvum genotypes 1 and 2, whereas the single false-negative sample corresponded to a Cryptosporidium meleagridis infection.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cryptosporidiosis / diagnosis*
  • Cryptosporidiosis / immunology
  • Cryptosporidium parvum / immunology
  • Cryptosporidium parvum / isolation & purification*
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Tests / methods
  • Immunologic Tests / standards*
  • Oocysts / immunology
  • Oocysts / isolation & purification*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity