Diagnosis of AIDS-Related Intestinal Parasites
Abstract
Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica are all protozoan parasites which infect the gastrointestinal tract of humans, are known agents of diarrhea, and are difficult to diagnosis using traditional parasitologic techniques. Cryptosporidium causes a life-threatening, so far untreatable, diarrheal illness in HIV-infected patients, of whom approximately 4% are infected in the United States. Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica, for which excellent treatment modalities are available, may infect some groups of HIV patients more than other individuals. During the first year of this project, a double antibody sandwich enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) to detect Cryptosporidium antigen in fecal specimens was developed; it detected (1) between 1000 and 10,000 purified Cryptosporidium oocysts and (2) specific antigen in fecal specimens from 14 of 15 infected patients. During the second year, sensitivity and specificity data will be generated using fecal specimens from large numbers of individuals with cryptosporidiosis. Keywords: RA 1; Parasitology; Retrovirus; Diarrhea.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 07, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA203369
Entities
People
- Beth L. Ungar
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences