Contribution to the laboratory diagnosis of human cryptosporidiosis

Authors

  • Isabel MARTINEZ Universidade Estadual Paulista; Faculdade Ciências Farmacêuticas
  • Francisco Miguel BELDA NETO Universidade Estadual Paulista; Faculdade Ciências Farmacêuticas; Department of Biological Sciences, Parasitology

Keywords:

Cryptosporidium spp, AIDS, diagnosis

Abstract

Human cryptosporidiosis is an infection caused by Cryptosporidium spp, a coccidial protozoan of emergencial pathogenicity and responsible for severe and prostrating watery diarrhea, mainly in immunocompromised patients. Smears of stools submitted to concentration and staining by carbol fuchsin technique has been used in our laboratory as a diagnostic procedure for cryptosporidiosis. The long time observing the smears in the microscope due to the small size of the forms and the low contrast of the staining led us to introduce some modifications in the original protocol for the acid-fast staining. The smears were treated with the carbol fuchsin solution for 3 minutes as recommended by LENNETTE et al., 1985 and the solution of the ethyl alcohol 70%-chloride acid 0.5% was used instead of the ethyl alcohol-sulfuric acid 5% recommended by HENRIKSEN & POHLENZ, 1981. Smears were treated with the discoloration solution for 2 minutes. These modifications promoted a better washing out of the excess of carbol fuchsin therefore increasing the dye efficiency. In such conditions, the visualization of protozoan oocysts on the slides examined became easier. They were observed by the contrast of their intense pink-reddish pigmentation against the blue background. It's worthwhile to emphasize that these modifications offer advantages when time and accuracy are concerned.

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Published

2001-04-01

Issue

Section

Parasitology

How to Cite

MARTINEZ, I., & BELDA NETO, F. M. (2001). Contribution to the laboratory diagnosis of human cryptosporidiosis . Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 43(2), 79-82. https://revistas.usp.br/rimtsp/article/view/30492