Investigation of the frequency of cryptosporidium SPP in immunsupressive patients by various diagnostic methods

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. in immunosuppressive patients with diarrhea by microscopic, serological and molecular methods and to evaluate the methods used comparatively. Materials and Methods: Ninety stool samples sent to Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Hospital Microbiology Laboratory from immunosuppressive patients with diarrhea were included in the study. For the detection of Cryptosporidium spp., modified acid fast staining, PCR and ELISA test was applied to stool samples. Cryptosporidium spp was investigated by DFA method in 51 samples including positive samples. Immunochromatographic card test was also studied in cases that were found to be positive by any of these methods. Results: Of the 90 samples included in the study, 44 (48,8%) were male and 46 (51,2%) were female patients. The ages of the patients ranged from 0 to 81 years, with a mean age of 37,8 (standard deviation: ±27,5). There were 31 (34,4%) samples of pediatric patients in the study, and the mean age of these patients was 5.3 (standard deviation: ±4.34). No statistically significant difference was found between the positivity status of the patients and their age, and between the positivity status and gender in any of the methods used. In the stool samples studied, positivity was detected in 5 (5,6%) samples with the modified acid fast method, in 2 (2,2%) samples with PCR, and in 1 (1,1%) sample with the ELISA method. Positive results were found in 6 of the samples studied with the DFA method. 7 samples that were found positive by any of these methods were investigated with the immunochromatographic card test and Cryptosporidium spp. was positive in 4 samples. Conclusion: The study reveals that Cryptosporidium spp. is an important agent in patients with immunosuppressive diarrhea. Based on the DFA method as the gold standard method, the modified acid fast method stands out as a method that can be used in routine diagnosis with its high sensitivity and specificity.. In addition, it is thought that immunochromatographic diagnostic tests will be useful in laboratories with intensive workflow due to their practical use and rapid results.