Clinical and Interpretive

This assay is used in establishing the diagnosis of intestinal cryptosporidiosis.

Cryptosporidia are protozoa of the coccidian group which are common parasites of livestock animals and can contaminate and survive in surface water supplies.

Infection of humans occurs by the fecal-oral route or by ingestion of contaminated water. The exact mechanism by which the organism causes gastroenteritis is unknown.

Cryptosporidiosis occurs as a profuse diarrhea in patients with AIDS and as a self-limited moderate diarrhea in young children, especially daycare attendees and their relatives.

A positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicates the presence of antigens of cryptosporidium and is interpreted as evidence of infection with that organism.

The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of the ELISA were 87%, 99%, and 98% respectively, as determined by examination of 231 fecal specimens by conventional microscopy and by ELISA.

Examination of multiple fecal specimens may be required to detect Cryptosporidium.