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[Current diagnosis, clinical course and treatment of acute colitis infection with Clostridium difficile]

D Prokopowicz1, T W Lapiński

  • 1Kliniki Obserwacyjno-Zakaźnej AM w Białymstoku.

Polski Tygodnik Lekarski (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
|April 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

The immuno-enzymatic technique for detecting Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis) protein GSA 65 in feces showed higher detection rates compared to direct microscopy. Microscopic examination of duodenal content also revealed discrepancies in G. intestinalis detection.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Diagnostic Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis) is a common cause of parasitic infections.
  • Accurate detection of G. intestinalis is crucial for effective treatment.
  • Direct microscopy for G. intestinalis detection in feces can be unreliable.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the detection rates of G. intestinalis using direct microscopy versus an immuno-enzymatic technique (EIA) detecting GSA 65.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of a ready-made EIA kit for G. intestinalis detection.
  • To compare these methods with microscopic examination of duodenal content.

Main Methods:

  • Fecal samples from 371 patients were analyzed.
  • Direct microscopy of feces was performed by three independent examiners.
  • An immuno-enzymatic assay (EIA) using ProSpec T/Giardia reagents kit (Alexon Inc.) to detect GSA 65 protein was employed.
  • Microscopic examination of duodenal content was also conducted.

Main Results:

  • The EIA kit detected GSA 65 protein in 45.8% of fecal samples.
  • Direct microscopy detected G. intestinalis cysts in only 22.3% of fecal samples.
  • Microscopic examination of feces showed significant variability among examiners (0.1% to 45.2%).
  • EIA kits from Alexon Inc. and DIALAB yielded positive results in 45.8% and 60.7% of cases, respectively.
  • Two patients negative for GSA 65 in feces were positive for trophozoites in duodenal content.

Conclusions:

  • The immuno-enzymatic technique (EIA) demonstrates a higher detection rate for Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis) compared to direct fecal microscopy.
  • Significant inter-observer variability exists in microscopic diagnosis of G. intestinalis.
  • Ready-made EIA kits offer a potentially more reliable diagnostic approach for G. intestinalis infections.

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