Copro-antigen detection versus direct methods for the diagnosis of Giardia Lamblia in patients from the national liver institute

ABSTRACT

In this study a commercially available immunoenzymatic assay to detect G. lamblia specific copro-antigen was evaluated. A total of 90 stool samples were tested. Diagnosis of giardiasis by ELISA for copro-Ag detection was positive in 46 [51.1%] patients whereas by direct stool analysis after formol ether concentration G. lamblia was detected in 38 [42.2%] patients only. ELISA technique for detection of Giardia copro-antigen had a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 82.6% with PPV of 80.4% and a NPV of 97.7%