Evaluation of some conventional staining techniques and a monoclonal antibody based method for coccidian oocyst detection in human faecal samples

ABSTRACT

In the present study, different concentrations and staining techniques were used for the identification of coccidian oocysts in fecal samples from 230 immunocompetent patients complaining from persistent diarrhea. Also, fecal samples were obtained from 20 apparently healthy individuals [control group]. Formal ether sedimentation and Sheather's sugar flotation were used as concentration techniques. The concentrated stools were examined and stained by modified Ziehl- Neelsen [MZN] acid fast stain, rapid Diff stain, phenol-auramine stain and the monoclonal antibody [MAb] based reagent for direct immunofluorescence. It was concluded that for detection of coccidian oocysts, Sheather's sugar flotation can be used as a concentration method, while MZN is sufficient for clinical purposes. The immunofluorescence test is a useful tool in suspected cases with negative samples or in cases where the number of oocysts is suspected to be low