[ENCAPSULATED CORD METHOD(Enterotest) COMPARED WITH FECALTEST ON THE DIAGNOSIS OF CRIPTOSPORIUM Sp E ISOSPORA belli In HIV(+)Patients with Gastrointestinal Symptoms] / Método de la Cuerda Encapsulada(Enterotest)comparado con el examen de heces en el diagnóstico de Criptosporidiumspp. e Isospora belli en pacientes VIH(+) con síntomas gastrointestinales.

Fecal samples and small intestinal content obtained by Enterotest were submitted between December 1994 and January 1996, by HIV (+) patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.Unconcentrated and concentrated fecal samples (by Sheater, Ritchie and Spontaneous Sedimentation) and intestinal content obtained by Enterotest, all stained by modificated Ziehl-Nielsen method, were compared (multiatributive comparison) based on the following parameters: yield, each test cost, morphology and the number of parasites per slide, in order to diagnose Cryptosporidium spp. e Isospora belli.Intestinal content obtained by Enterotest on the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. e Isospora belli was not better than the fecal samples but it is more expensive. However, it reached a good diagnostic yield with adequate morphology, and a number of parasites per slide. Furthermore, it can be used as a second line diagnostic method (first line = fecal samples) and as an alternative in places where the use of endoscopy is not available.