False-positive results obtained with the Alexon ProSpecT Cryptosporidium enzyme immunoassay

Cryptosporidium is known to cause diarrhea in immunocompromised patients an d is also associated with outbreaks of disease due to food-borne and waterb orne parasites. Traditional procedures, involving iodine staining of wet mo unts of stool sediments and trichrome staining, lark the sensitivity to det ect Cryptosporidium. Special staining procedures, such as the modified acid -hat and safranin stains, are generally employed. Less labor-intensive anti gen detection assays have simplified detection; however, careful attention to local epidemiology is important because false-positive tests occur. Here , we report two incidents involving 62 false-positive results obtained with the Alexon ProSpecT Cryptosporidium enzyme immunoassay, which Here deemed false-positive based on negative results obtained from establish microscopi c examinations.