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Evaluation of an immunochromatographic dip strip test for simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium spp, Giardia duodenalis, and Entamoeba histolytica antigens in human faecal samples

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Abstract

Immunochromatographic (IC) tests may play an important role in the future diagnosis of parasitic diseases because of their speed and simplicity of use. A recently developed test to detect Cryptosporidium spp, Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba histolytica was evaluated. Microscopy and PCR were the “gold standard” reference techniques and the results of this IC test were compared with those obtained with ELISA and IC single test for the three parasites. One hundred sixty stool samples were assayed. Using microscopy, 22 samples were diagnosed as positive for Cryptosporidium spp., 31 for Giardia duodenalis, 41 for Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, and 68 had a negative diagnosis for the three parasites. Results of IC tests show sensitivities of 70–72% for Cryptosporidium, 90–97% for Giardia and 62.5% for Entamoeba histolytica. Specificities were of 93.6–94.9%, >99% and 96.1%, respectively. In all diagnoses, agreement with microscopy and PCR was over 90%, except in the triple test and microscopy in E. histolytica detection that was 76.3%, due to the inability of microscopy to differentiate E. histolytica from nonpathogenic species such as E. dispar or E. moshkovskii. The triple stool immunoassays provide adequate sensitivities and specificities for use in outbreak situations, for screening proposals and for massive assays in endemic areas where a large number of samples must be analysed or as complementary test for individual diagnosis.

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Acknowledgements

This work was presented at the XII Iberian Congress of Parasitology, Zaragoza, Spain, 2011. We thank R-Biopharm AG for providing the Ridascreen Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Entamoeba ELISA assays, as well as for financial support. This work was partially supported by Gobierno de Aragón (Spain) Grupos Consolidados B-82.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Area of Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain

    P. Goñi, A. García & A. Clavel

  2. Operon S.A., Camino del Plano, 19, 50410, Cuarte de Huerva, Zaragoza, Spain

    B. Martín & M. Villacampa

  3. Area of Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain

    C. Seral & F. J. Castillo

  4. Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Lozano Blesa Hospital, C/San Juan Bosco, 19, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain

    C. Seral & F. J. Castillo

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  1. P. Goñi
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  2. B. Martín
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  3. M. Villacampa
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  4. A. García
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  5. C. Seral
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  6. F. J. Castillo
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  7. A. Clavel
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Correspondence to A. Clavel.

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Goñi, P., Martín, B., Villacampa, M. et al. Evaluation of an immunochromatographic dip strip test for simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium spp, Giardia duodenalis, and Entamoeba histolytica antigens in human faecal samples. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 31, 2077–2082 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-012-1544-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-012-1544-7

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