Comparison of the Triage Micro Parasite Panel and Microscopy for the Detection ofEntamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar,Giardia lamblia, andCryptosporidium parvumin Stool Samples Collected in Kenya

Abstract

<jats:p><jats:italic>Entamoeba histolytica</jats:italic>,<jats:italic>Giardia lamblia</jats:italic>, and<jats:italic>Cryptosporidium parvum</jats:italic>are three of the most important parasitic causes of acute diarrhea worldwide. Laboratory diagnosis of these parasites is usually done by ova and parasite examination (O&amp;P examination) via microscopy. The sensitivity and specificity of O&amp;P examination varies among laboratories and can be labor intensive and time consuming. The Triage Micro Parasite Panel (BioSite, San Diego, California) is an enzyme immunoassay kit that can detect<jats:italic>E. histolytica/E. dispar</jats:italic>,<jats:italic>G. lamblia</jats:italic>, and<jats:italic>C. parvum</jats:italic>simultaneously using fresh or frozen stool. The present study evaluated the Triage Micro Parasite Panel in detecting<jats:italic>E. histolytica/E. dispar</jats:italic>,<jats:italic>G. lamblia</jats:italic>, and<jats:italic>C. parvum</jats:italic>compared to O&amp;P examination in 266 stool samples collected at medical facilities in Kenya. The sensitivity and specificity results for the Triage Micro Parasite Panel were: for<jats:italic>E. histolytica/E. dispar</jats:italic>: 100%, 100%,<jats:italic>G. lamblia</jats:italic>: 100%, 100% and<jats:italic>C. parvum</jats:italic>: 73%, 100%. There was no evidence of cross reactivity using the kit with other parasites identified in the stool specimens. These results indicate that the Triage Micro Parasite Panel is a highly sensitive kit that can be used for screening purposes in large scale studies or outbreak investigations or as a possible alternative to O&amp;P examination.</jats:p>

Molecular and Clinical Characterization ofGiardia duodenalisInfection in Preschool Children from Lisbon, Portugal

“…However, the use of three stool samples allow the detection of over 90% of infection [24], which is very similar to the sensitivities recently reported for rapid diagnostic tests [25], while one stool sample will allow the detection of 60 to 80%, and the analysis of two stool samples will allow the detection of 80 to 90% [24]. In this study at least two stool samples were obtained from all the children and three samples for more than 80% of the enrolled children.…”

Surveillance for enteric pathogens in a case-control study of acute diarrhea in Western Kenya

“…A comparison of the two methods was conducted using more than 200 stool samples to ensure there were no major differences between the two methods. 16 For ova and parasite examination, stool was concentrated using the Mini Parasep SF kit (DiaSys, Wokingham, Berkshire, England) according to the manufacturer's instructions. To examine stool samples for ova and parasites, two wet mounts were prepared for each specimen (one stained with iodine) and analyzed by two laboratory technicians.…”

An evaluation of the potential use ofCryptosporidiumspecies as agents for deliberate release

“…Enzyme immunoassay antigen-detection kits are compromised by their lack of sensitivity. In an evaluation study with stool samples from Kenya, the sensitivity of the Triage Micro Parasite Panel (BioSite, San Diego, California, USA) was 73% for C parvum , with a specificity of 100% 23. Flow cytometry after purification and concentration of oocysts (eg, from canal water or from vegetables) by filtration and immunomagnetic separation is a rapid diagnostic approach, allowing for a recovery of 13% of Cryptosporidium spp.…”