Comparison between immunomagnetic separation, coupled with immunofluorescence, and the techniques of Faust et al. and of Lutz for the diagnosis of Giardia lamblia cysts in human feces

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2003 Nov-Dec;45(6):339-42. doi: 10.1590/s0036-46652003000600008. Epub 2004 Jan 26.

Abstract

In the present study, the performance of Immunomagnetic Separation technique, coupled with Immunofluorescence (IMS-IFA), was compared with the FAUST et al. and Lutz parasitological techniques for the detection of Giardia lamblia cysts in human feces. One hundred and twenty-seven samples were evaluated by the three techniques at the same time showing a rate of cyst detection of 27.5% by IMS-IFA and 15.7% by both Faust et al. and Lutz techniques. Data analysis showed a higher sensitivity of IMS-IFA for the detection of G. lamblia cysts in comparison with the techniques of FAUST et al. and Lutz. The use of this methodology as a routine procedure enables the processing of many samples simultaneously, in order to increase recovery rate of G. lamblia cysts and reduce the time of sample storage.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique / methods
  • Giardia lamblia / immunology*
  • Giardia lamblia / isolation & purification
  • Giardiasis / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Immunomagnetic Separation / methods*
  • Parasitology / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity