CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS - DIAGNOSTIC SENSITIVITY OF STOOL EXAMINATION, BASED ON NUMBER OF SPECIMENS SUBMITTED

Objectives: To determine the optimal number of stool specimens needed for the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis, Methods: Four hundred thirty-f ive admissions were reviewed (291 patients) in which stool specimens w ere examined for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts (mean of 1.47 specimen s per admission), using a modified acid-fast stain, The diagnostic yie ld of each specimen was determined, Results: Cryptosporidium parvum oo cysts were found in 81 of 435 admissions (18.6%), Ninety-six percent o f the positive cases were detected on the first stool specimen analysi s, and 100% were detected by the second specimen, Conclusions: Examina tion of one specimen is generally appropriate for the diagnosis of cry ptosporidiosis in a hospitalized patient with AIDS presenting with dia rrhea, Examination of a second specimen may be appropriate if the firs t specimen is negative and there is a high clinical index of suspicion .