Detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in clinical laboratories in Europe—a comparative study. (30th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Manser, M.; Granlund, M.; Edwards, H.; Saez, A.; Petersen, E.; Evengard, B.; Chiodini, P.; Bottieau, E.
• Is Part Of: Clinical microbiology and infection. Volume 20:Number 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: O65
• Page End: O71
• Publication Date: 2013-08-30
• Subjects: Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Diagnostic microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.01
• DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12297
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1198-743X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="clm12297-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>To determine the routine diagnostic methods used and compare the performance in detection of oocysts of <italic>Cryptosporidium</italic> species and cysts of <italic>Giardia intestinalis</italic> in faecal samples by European specialist parasitology laboratories and European clinical laboratories. Two sets of seven formalin‐preserved faecal samples, one containing cysts of <italic>Giardia intestinalis</italic> and the other, containing oocysts of <italic>Cryptosporidium, </italic> were sent to 18 laboratories. Participants were asked to examine the specimens using their routine protocol for detecting these parasites and state the method(s) used. Eighteen laboratories answered the questionnaire. For detection of <italic>Giardia</italic>, 16 of them used sedimentation/concentration followed by light microscopy. Using this technique the lower limit of detection of <italic>Giardia</italic> was 17.2 cysts/mL of faeces in the best performing laboratories. Only three of 16 laboratories used fluorescent‐conjugated antibody‐based microscopy. For detection of <italic>Cryptosporidium</italic> acid‐fast staining was used by 14 of the 17 laboratories that examined the samples. With this technique the lower limit of detection was 976 oocysts/mL of faeces. Fluorescent‐conjugated antibody‐based microscopy was used by only five of the 17 laboratories. There was variation in the lower limit of detection of cysts of <italic>Giardia</italic> and oocysts of <italic>Cryptosporidium</italic> between laboratories using the same basic microscopic methods. Fluorescent‐conjugated antibody‐based microscopy was not superior to light microscopy under the conditions of this study. There is a need for a larger‐scale multi‐site comparison of the methods used for the diagnosis of these parasites and the development of a Europe‐wide laboratory protocol based upon its findings.</p> </abstract>