Journal of Gastrointestinal Infections

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VOLUME 10 , ISSUE 1 ( January-December, 2020 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

Comparison of Detection of Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica Using Microscopy and Antigen Detection Rapid Cards in Patients with Diarrhea

Sarumathi Dandapani, Nonika Rajkumari, Pallam Gopichand

Citation Information : Dandapani S, Rajkumari N, Gopichand P. Comparison of Detection of Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica Using Microscopy and Antigen Detection Rapid Cards in Patients with Diarrhea. J Gastrointest Infect 2020; 10 (1):3-6.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10068-3036

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-06-2021

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2020; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background and objectives: Intestinal infections by protozoan parasites like Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica is still much prevalent, more so in developing countries. Microscopy remains the mainstay of its diagnosis despite its limitations. Therefore, we have tried to assess the usefulness of using antigen based rapid card test to that of the routine stool microscopy in this study and see its associated risk factors. Materials and methods: Stool samples were collected from enrolled patients with history of loose motion. On these, routine stool microscopy was followed by a rapid combo test for antigen detection of Entamoeba, Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The associated risk factors of these patients were then checked and analyzed. Results: A total of 2,434 stool samples were included in the study without duplication, of which 790 samples were found positive for an intestinal parasite by microscopy and 249 were positive by the rapid triage card test for one of the three intestinal protozoan parasites. Both cysts and trophozoites of G. lamblia and Entamoeba spp. were recovered from these samples. Stool microscopy for Giardia was positive in 17 samples and 60 for Entamoeba spp. However, by rapid card test, 114 samples were found to be positive for G. lamblia, 129 for Entamoeba spp. and 51 for Cryptosporidium spp. The additional detection of these intestinal pathogen by the rapid cards were found to be statistically significant (p<0.005). Conclusions: The results show that routine screening for intestinal parasitosis is important as many persons can have silent infection. In addition, a combination of another test especially rapid test along with microscopy helps to identify such cases.


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