Cryptosporidium Ag (stool)
This ELISA is an in vitro immunoassay for the qualitative determination of Cryptosporidium antigen in feces. It is a double antibody (sandwich) ELISA using an anti-Cryptosporidium antibody to capture the antigen from the stool supernatant.
Cryptosporidium is a coccidian parasite that is recognized as an important enteric pathogen. The organism causes an acute, though self-limiting infection in immunocompetent individuals. Incubation periods of 1 to 12 days have been reported with most oocyst shedding ending by day 21. Symptoms range from mild to severe diarrhea with a variety of complications. 1,8,9,10,11,13 The infection in immunocompromised patients is much more severe and may often be life threatening. Passage of fluid, up to 12 liters per day, has been reported. 1,2,3,12,14,16 Multiple pathways of Cryptosporidium transmission have been implicated. These include animal to human, water contamination and person-to-person. The latter may include contact between members of the same household, day care centers, and homosexual men.
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- Egger, M., et al. “Symptoms and Transmission of Intestinal Cryptosporidiosis.” Arch Dis Child, Vol 65, pp 445-447.
- Hart, M., et al. “Acute Self-Limited Colitis Associated with Cryptosporidium in an Immunocompetent Patient.” J Ped Gastro Nutr, Vol. 8, 1989, pp. 401-403.
- Nwanyanwu, O., et al. “Cryptosporidiosis in a Day-Care Center.” Texas Med, Vol. 85, June 1989, pp. 40-43.
- Sloan, L.M., and Rosenblatt, J.E. “Evaluation of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Cryptosporodium spp. in Stool Specimens.” J Clin Micro, Vol. 31 #6, June 1993, pp. 1468-1471.
- Current, W. and Garica, L. “Cryptosporidiosis.” Clin Micro Rev, Vol. 4 #3, July 1991, pp. 325-358.
- Weber, R. et al. “Threshold of Detection of Cryptosporidium Oocysts in Human Stool Specimens; Evidence for Low Sensitivity of Current Diagnostic Methods.” J Clin Micro, Vol. 29 #7, July 1991, pp. 1323-1327.