ABSTRACT
Glucose oxidase paper strips for semiquantitative determination of glucose in urine are commercially available but details of their preparation are not published. The purpose of this study was to produce such strips, using a coupled enzyme glucose oxidase-peroxidase reaction which would yield purple color with ortho-tolidine, and safranin upon dipping into urine containing glucose. In this present study, without any special equipment, special humidity and temperature control, the new reagent strip named R-strip could be successfully prepared in the atmospheric conditions of Thailand. R-strips were evaluated against random urine added with various amounts of glucose in comparison with a commercial strip (T-strip), Benedict's test, and a commercial tablet (C-tablet), routinely used in laboratories. The developed strips were found to be as specific as T-strip and more sensitive than other tests.
Subject(s)
Diagnostic Tests, Routine , Glucose/metabolism , Glycosuria/diagnosis , Humans , Paper , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic , Sensitivity and Specificity , Thailand , Urinalysis/instrumentationABSTRACT
Unconventional microscopic means for investigation of Cryptosporidium oocysts in patients' stools were explored in an attempt to obtain a more accurate diagnosis. The results showed that Nomarski interference contrast microscope provided clearer structures of oocysts in wet mount preparations than those under a normal light microscope and readily allowed distinction from yeast cells. Transmission electron microscopic study revealed that oocysts are thick walled and well sporulated. Their "untypical" appearance as seen by the light microscope resulted from sporozoites or the residuum that can be unfamiliar to some examiners. Electron microscopy provides definitive identification of Cryptosporidium spp. but Nomarski interference contrast microscopy was superior to bright field microscopy and may facilitate rapid diagnosis in routine fecal examination. The Ziehl-Neelsen modified acid fast technique was of value for differentiation and confirmation.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications , Cryptosporidiosis/complications , Diarrhea/classification , Feces/parasitology , Humans , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission , Microscopy, Phase-Contrast , PhotomicrographyABSTRACT
Studies on cell-mediated immune response (CMIR) to amebia antigen in amebic liver abscess showed conflicting results. The leucocyte migration test was employed in nine cases of amebic liver abscess and CMIR to amebic antigen was demonstrated in four cases. The role of CMIR in the pathogenesis of amebic liver abscess remains unknown but its presence is confirmed.