İnvestigation of Cryptosporidium sp. antijen by ELISA method in stool specimens with diarrhea

Cryptosporidium sp. are important agents causing diarrhea in developing and developed countries. The agent causes severe life-threatening diarrhea especially in immunocompromised hosts. Furthermore, transmission of Cryptosporidium sp. by of drinking water threats public health. In this study, two methods are used for determining Cryptosporidium sp. Microscopy and specific antigen detection methods are compared. Investigation of specific antigen by ELISA method in stool is investigated for contributing or not diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spIn this study, 154 stool specimens taken from patients- between 0 to 86 ages with diarrhea applied to Microbiology Laboratory, Adana Numune Research Hospital and Department of Parasitology, Balcalı Hospital of Çukurova University in Adana were investigated for Cryptosporidium sp. antigen by ELISA and oocysts via modified acid-fast staining, between October 2007 and July 2008Eight specimens were found to be positive by modified acid-fast staining; but thirty seven specimens were found to be positif by ELISA methodIn conclusion, although ELISA which investigates specific antigen in stool samples is a costly method, it has been seen that it helps to methods for diagnosis of agents.