Cryptosporidium Antigen, Feces |
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Cryptosporidium species is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes diarrheal illness worldwide. Groups at particular risk of infection include the immunocompromised, especially those with HIV infection, family members and sexual partners of infected patients, children and caretakers in day care centers, animal handlers and travelers. Infection may be asymptomatic. Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, malaise, and respiratory problems lasting from several days to more than a month. In immunocompromised patients, persistent infection or death may result.
A rapid antigen detection assay for use on stool specimens is available, and has a 95% sensitivity and 98% specificity. This is an improvement over fluorescent stains and allows accuracy when a single specimen is tested.
Specimen requirement is 10 grams of randomly collected stool in a sterile container.
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