و رنگ آميزي اسيد فاست با تاييد به روش ايمنوفلورسنت آنتي بادي جهت تشخيص گونه هاي كريپتوسپوريديوم EHZYME IMMUNOASSAY)EIA( ارزيابي و مقايسه

EVALUATION AND COMPARISON OF ENZYME IMMUNOASSAY (EIA) AND ACID FAST STAINING WITH CONFIRMATION BY IMMUNOFL UORESCENT ANTIBODY ASSAY FOR DETECTION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPECIES IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN

Introduction: Cryptosporidiosis is prevalent world wide, causing a variety of problems ranging from acute, self-limiting diarrhea to fatal cases in immunocompromised persons, particularly those with acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS). Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium is made b y 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 dia gnostic 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.