scholarly journals The relevance of laboratory diagnosis of human cryptosporidiosis and other coccidia

1995 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.R. Garlipp ◽  
P.V. Bottini ◽  
A.T.L.S. Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Watery Diarrhoea ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Hiv Seropositive

Human infection by Cryptosporidium spp and other coccidia are due to opportunist non-host specific microorganisms. In HIV seropositive patients, the gastrointestinal symptoms accompanying such infections may be serious and prolonged and may include nausea, low-grade fever, abdominal cramps, anorexia and watery diarrhoea. We studied 188 stool samples from 111 patients (84 men and 27 women) with diarrhoea. A modified Ziehl-Nielsen technique for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp and Isospora belli was employed. The mean age of the patients was 31 years. Cryptosporidium spp was seen in 18% (n=20) of the patients, 90% (n=18) of whom were HIV seropositive. Isospora belli was recorded only from HIV seropositive patients (5.4% of all the patients studied and 6.5% of those who were HIV seropositive). These data confirm the good results obtained with this technique for the identification of Cryptosporidium spp and other coccidia and also reaffirm the clinical importance of correctly diagnosing the cause of diarrhoea, particularly in HIV seropositive patients.

scholarly journals Multicenter Evaluation of an ELISA for the Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. Antigen in Clinical Human Stool Samples

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Romy Razakandrainibe ◽  
Célia Mérat ◽  
Nathalie Kapel ◽  
Marc Sautour ◽  
Karine Guyot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Cryptosporidium Oocyst ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Elisa Test ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Conventional Microscopy ◽  
Human Stool

Human cryptosporidiosis remains underdiagnosed, and rapid/accurate diagnosis is of clinical importance. Diagnosis of the Cryptosporidium oocyst in stool samples by conventional microscopy is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and requires skillful experience. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test in detecting Cryptosporidium spp. from fecal specimens. For this aim, we evaluated the performances of a commercial ELISA (CoproELISA Cryptosporidium kit, Savyon Diagnostics, Israel) for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in random clinical stool samples through a multicenter study. The sensitivity and specificity for coproantigen ELISA were 98.86% and 94.32%, respectively. The coproantigen ELISA results indicate that the simple, rapid, reliable, and standardized immunoassay test is sensitive and specific for routine diagnosis, and may be useful for large-scale epidemiological studies of cryptosporidiosis.

scholarly journals Detection of Blastocystis in Stool Isolates Using Different Diagnostic Methods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buthaina Darwish ◽  
Ghalia Aboualchamat ◽  
Samar Al Nahhas
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Detection ◽  
Detection Method ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Direct Microscopic Examination ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals

Abstract Background: Blastocystis is a parasite that inhabits human intestinalis. It is commonly identified in asymptomatic individuals, while its pathogenic role is underestimated. In Syria, studies on this parasite are very few, and it is not documented in the laboratory reports. The present study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of three different diagnostic methods in the detection of Blastocystis among patients with no specific or clear symptoms. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 70 patients suffering from various gastrointestinal symptoms. All samples were examined microscopically using iodine staining smears, and after in vitro cultivation at 37°C for 48- 72 h using Jones' medium. Molecular detection of Blastocystis was determined by fragment amplification of the SSU rRNA gene using PCR. Results: Blastocystis was identified in: 49 cases (70%) by direct microscopic examination, in 60 isolate (85.7%) by in vitro culture and in 64 (91.4%) of cases using molecular detection. Comparative analysis revealed that the sensitivity of microscopic detection for Blastocystis was 73.4% while it was 90.6% for in vitro culture and 95.9 - 96.7% using PCR detection method. Blastocystis was found alone in 32 (65.3%) of cases, while co-infection was detected in 17 (34.7%) samples. Conclusions: Our findings highlighted the importance of considering Blastocystis in laboratory diagnosis. Molecular methods are recommended for screening clinical specimens for Blastocystis infection especially among individuals with no common particular symptoms. If not applicable, two different diagnostic techniques are required for accurate diagnose of this parasite.

Celiac Disease in Kosovar Albanian Children: Evaluation of Clinical Features and Diagnosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-247
Author(s):  
Atifete Ramosaj-Morina ◽  
Alije Keka-Sylaj ◽  
Arbana Baloku Zejnullahu ◽  
Lidvana Spahiu ◽  
Virgjina Hasbahta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Dominant Mode ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Classical Form ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Mean

Background: Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by variable clinical manifestations, specific antibodies, HLA-DQ2/DQ8 haplotypes, and enteropathy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to present the clinical spectrum and patterns of celiac disease in Kosovar Albanian children. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed with Albanian children aged 0-18 years, treated for celiac disease in the Pediatric Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo from 2005 to 2016. Results: During the study period, 63 children were treated for celiac disease. The mean age at diagnosis was 5.5 years (SD ± 3.31). The mean age at celiac disease onset was 3.3 years (SD ± 2.02), while the mean delay from the first symptoms indicative of celiac disease to diagnosis was 2.2 years (SD ± 2.09). More than 70% of the patients were diagnosed in the first 7 years of life, mainly presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, while primary school children and adolescents mostly showed atypical symptoms (p<0.001). The classical form of celiac disease occurred in 78% of the cases. Sixty (95%) patients carried HLA-DQ2.5, DQ2.2 and/or HLA-DQ8 heterodimers, and only three of them tested negative. Conclusions: Kosovo, as the majority of developing countries, is still facing the classical form of celiac disease as the dominant mode of presentation; as a result, most children with other forms of the celiac disease remain undiagnosed. : Physicians should be aware of the wide range of clinical presentations and utilize low testing thresholds in order to prevent potential long-term problems associated with untreated celiac disease.

scholarly journals Can an amino acid mixture alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms in neuroendocrine tumor patients?

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aman Chauhan ◽  
Satya Das ◽  
Rachel Miller ◽  
Laura Luque ◽  
Samuel N. Cheuvront ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Neuroendocrine Tumor ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Acid Mixture ◽  
Tumor Patients ◽  
Short Gut Syndrome ◽  
Oral Rehydration ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Neuroendocrine tumors, although relatively rare in incidence, are now the second most prevalent gastrointestinal neoplasm owing to indolent disease biology. A small but significant sub-group of neuroendocrine tumor patients suffer from diarrhea. This is usually secondary to carcinoid syndrome but can also be a result of short gut syndrome, bile acid excess or iatrogenic etiologies. Recently, an amino acid based oral rehydration solution (enterade® Advanced Oncology Formula) was found to have anti-diarrheal properties in preclinical models. Methods A retrospective chart review of all NET patients treated with enterade® AO was performed after IRB approval. Results Ninety-eight NET patients who had received enterade® AO at our clinic from May 2017 through June 2019 were included. Patients (N = 49 of 98) with follow up data on bowel movements (BMs) were included for final analysis. Eighty-four percent of patients (41/49) had fewer BMs after taking enterade® AO and 66% (27/41) reported more than 50% reduction in BM frequency. The mean number of daily BMs was 6.6 (range, 3–20) at baseline before initiation of therapy, while the mean number of BMs at 1 week time point post enterade® AO was 2.9 (range, 0–11). Conclusions Our retrospective observations are encouraging and support prospective validation with appropriate controls in NET patients. This is first published report of the potential anti-diarrheal activity of enterade® AO in NET patients.

scholarly journals Parasitic infections in Swiss children: Are we overtesting?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Légeret ◽  
Céline Rüttimann ◽  
Hans Fankhauser ◽  
Henrik Köhler
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Positive Result ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Stool Specimens

Abstract Background A wide variation of causes can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms in children- an infection with parasites is one of them. The expansion of international travel might lead to an increase in testing children for a correspondent infection. Currently there are no guidelines available, which patients should be tested for a possible parasitical infection. The aim of the study was to characterize Swiss children suffering from intestinal parasites, in order to provide more knowledge for the clinician who should be tested. Methods This is a retrospective study of Swiss pediatric patients, whose stools have been tested for parasites and helminths. Results A total of 1855 stool samples, belonging to 572 different children with an average age of 7.9 years, were tested within a 10-year period. The prevalence of a positive result was 4.2%, of which all were positive for Blastocystis, and 12.5% had a co-infection with Endolimax nana. Conclusion Immigrants, immune compromised children with diarrhea and pediatric patients with bloody or protracted diarrhea should have 2 different stool specimens examined for a possible parasitical infection.

scholarly journals Seasonal Differences in Cyclospora cayetanensis Prevalence in Colombian Indigenous People

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 627
Author(s):  
Hagen Frickmann ◽  
Juliane Alker ◽  
Jessica Hansen ◽  
Juan Carlos Dib ◽  
Andrés Aristizabal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous People ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Fecal-orally transmitted cyclosporiasis is frequent in remote resource-limited settings in Central and South America with poor hygiene conditions. In this study, we aimed at assessing seasonal effects on the epidemiology of colonization or infection with C. cayetanensis in Colombian indigenous people living under very restricted conditions. In the rainy season between July and November and in the dry season between January and April, stool samples from indigenous people with and without gastrointestinal symptoms were collected and screened for C. cayetanensis applying in-house real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the rainy season and in the dry season, positive PCR results were observed for 11.8% (16/136) and 5.1% (15/292), respectively, with cycle threshold (Ct) values of 30.6 (±3.4) and 34.4 (±1.6), respectively. Despite higher parasite loads in the rainy season, fewer individuals (2/16, 12.5%) reported gastrointestinal symptoms compared to the dry season (6/15, 40%). In conclusion, considerable prevalence of C. cayetanensis in Colombian indigenous people persists in the dry season. Low proportions of gastrointestinal symptoms along with higher parasite loads make colonization likely rather than infection.

scholarly journals High Frequency of Cryptosporidium hominis Infecting Infants Points to A Potential Anthroponotic Transmission in Maputo, Mozambique

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
Idalécia Cossa-Moiane ◽  
Hermínio Cossa ◽  
Adilson Fernando Loforte Bauhofer ◽  
Jorfélia Chilaúle ◽  
Esperança Lourenço Guimarães ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cryptosporidium Hominis ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Maputo City ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Cryptosporidium is one of the most important causes of diarrhea in children less than 2 years of age. In this study, we report the frequency, risk factors and species of Cryptosporidium detected by molecular diagnostic methods in children admitted to two public hospitals in Maputo City, Mozambique. We studied 319 patients under the age of five years who were admitted due to diarrhea between April 2015 and February 2016. Single stool samples were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, microscopically by using a Modified Ziehl–Neelsen (mZN) staining method and by using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique using 18S ribosomal RNA gene as a target. Overall, 57.7% (184/319) were males, the median age (Interquartile range, IQR) was 11.0 (7–15) months. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 11.0% (35/319) by microscopy and in 35.4% (68/192) using PCR-RFLP. The most affected age group were children older than two years, [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 5.861; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.532–22.417; p-value < 0.05]. Children with illiterate caregivers had higher risk of infection (aOR: 1.688; 95% CI: 1.001–2.845; p-value < 0.05). An anthroponotic species C. hominis was found in 93.0% (27/29) of samples. Our findings demonstrated that cryptosporidiosis in children with diarrhea might be caused by anthroponomic transmission.

Highly sensitive and specific detection of Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Cryptosporidium spp. in human stool samples by the BD MAX™ Enteric Parasite Panel

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 447-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marijo Parčina ◽  
Ingrid Reiter-Owona ◽  
Frank P. Mockenhaupt ◽  
Valerija Vojvoda ◽  
Jean Bosco Gahutu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Giardia Duodenalis ◽  
Specific Detection ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Human Stool

Multiple Outbreaks of Gastroenteritis That Were Associated with 16 Funerals and a Unique Caterer and Spanned 6 Days, 2011, Québec, Canada

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 1582-1589 ◽  
Author(s):  
COLETTE GAULIN ◽  
SOULYVANE NGUON ◽  
MARIE-ANDREE LEBLANC ◽  
DANIELLE RAMSAY ◽  
SOPHIE ROY
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
Viral Gastroenteritis ◽  
Epidemiological Investigation ◽  
Food Handlers ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Causative Agents ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Over Time

In January 2011, multiple acute gastroenteritis outbreaks that spanned many days and were related to attendance at funerals were reported to public health units in Quebec. An epidemiological investigation was initiated to identify the source of the contamination and to explain the extent of the contamination over time. Thirty-one cohorts of individuals attended different funerals held between 14 and 19 January. All attendees were served a cold buffet made by the same caterer. Of these 31 cohorts, 16 (with a total of about 800 people) contained individuals who reported being ill after the funeral. Symptoms were mainly diarrhea (89 to 94% of individuals), vomiting (63 to 90%,) and fever (26 to 39%), with a median incubation period of 29 to 33 h and a median duration of symptoms of 24 to 33 h, suggesting norovirus-like infection. Among the 16 cohorts, 3 were selected for cohort studies. Among those three cohorts, the mean illness rate was 68%. Associations were found between those who fell ill and those who had consumed pasta salad (relative risk [RR] = 2.4; P = 0.0022) and ham sandwiches (RR = 1.8; P = 0.0096). No food handlers reported being sick. No stool samples were provided by individuals who became ill. Environmental and food samples were all negative for causative agents. Although the causative agent was not clearly identified, this investigation raised many concerns about the importance of preventing foodborne transmission of viral gastroenteritis and generated some recommendations for management of similar outbreaks.

STUDIES IN THE RELATION OF THE HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCUS TO RHEUMATIC FEVER

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1949 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 482-503
Author(s):  
T. N. HARRIS ◽  
SUSANNA HARRIS ◽  
RUTH L. NAGLE
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Fever ◽  
Streptococcal Infection ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
The Other ◽  
Streptococcal Infections ◽  
Hemolytic Streptococcus ◽  
Streptococcal Antigens ◽  
The Mean

Titrations of antibodies to four streptococcal antigens have been carried out in the sera of patients with rheumatic fever and of convalescents from streptococcal infections. These antigens are the hyaluronidase, the hemolysin, and two somatic fractions, the cytoplasmic particles and supernate proteins. Mean titers to all of these antigens were elevated in both rheumatic and streptococcal infection. The mean titer was somewhat higher in rheumatic than in streptococcal infection in the case of three of these antibodies. In the case of the fourth, antihyaluronidase, this difference was considerably greater. The antihyaluronidase titer showed better correlation with changes in the activity of the rheumatic infection than did the other tests. There was, however, no striking correlation between this titer and the severity of the illness. Application was made of these findings to the problem of laboratory diagnosis of rheumatic fever by streptococcal serology. A method is presented for assessing the relative usefulness of such tests in terms of the, distribution of their titers in this disease and in health. By this method the antihyaluronidase test was found to be most useful of the four. The comparative diagnostic value for rheumatic fever was studied in the case of the antihyaluronidase test, the antistreptolysin test, and of combinations of both tests.

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