IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE DETECTION OF CRYPTOSPO RIDIUM-PARVUM USING MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES IN AIDS PATIENTS WITH DIARRHEA

The diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis is difficult when oocyst eliminatio n is poor as occurs in AIDS patients. Aiming to improve the diagnosis, 144 fecal samples coming from AIDS patients with diarrhea, were studi ed using indirect immunofluorescence with anti-Cryptosporidium monoclo nal antibodies. The results were compared with Ziehl Neelsen and safra nine stainings. Twenty three samples (15.99%) were positive for Crypto sporidium with at least one of the three methods. Sensitivities were 7 8.3% for immunofluorescence, 86.9% for Ziehl Neelsen and 91.3 for safr anine stainings. The specificity of the three methods was 100%. ft is concluded that immunofluorescence does not improve the diagnostic accu racy of cryptosporidiosis and its high cost precludes its use in routi ne laboratories.