[Modified Ziehl-Neelsen and modified Safranin staining for diagnosing Cyclospora cayetanensis]
Ana L Galvan-Díaz1, Viviana Herrera-Jaramillo, Zila M Santos-Rodriguez
1Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. agalvandiaz@yahooo.com
Objective:
Comparing modified Ziehl-Neelsen (ZNm) and modified Safranin (Sm) staining for detecting C. cayetanensis oocysts in stool samples.
Methods:
The sample to be analysed consisted of 100 stool samples which had been previously evaluated by direct microscopic examination and concentration. Each sample was then ZNm and Sm stained. Microscope examination was used as gold standard for comparing both techniques by statistical analysis.
Results:
There was 95% sensitivity and 90% specificity for ZNm and 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity for Sm. The Kappa index was 0.93, signifying a very good degree of agreement between the two techniques.
Conclusions:
The use of either of the two stains for diagnosing C. cayetanensis can be recommended due to the high sensitivity and specificity for Zm and Sm found in this study and to the high degree of agreement between them.
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