DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF GASTROINTESTINAL MICROSPORIDIA USING NONINVASIVE TECHNIQUES

Aims-To detect enteric microsporidia in faecal specimens from patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and to identify t he spores to species level without using invasive procedures. Methods- Formalised faecal preparations were examined using a modification of t he strong trichrome staining method to demonstrate microsporidian spor es. Six positive specimens were prepared for electron microscopy by em ulsification and separation using a 9% Ficoll gradient. Results-The mo dified staining technique readily identified microsporidian spores. Sp ores of different species showed variation in size. Identification usi ng electron microscopy was successful for five of the six positive spe cimens examined. It was unsuccessful for one specimen in which spores were less abundant on initial staining. Conclusions-The modified stron g trichrome staining method is a useful way of detecting spores of int estinal microsporidia in faecal specimens. Variation in spore size may permit provisional identification by light microscopy. Electron micro scopic examination of faecal preparations is useful for identifying sp ores to species level.