Detection of Giardia lamblia stool samples: a comparison of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays

Abstract

Two commercially produced enzyme-immunosorbent assays (EIAs) to detect antigens of Giardia lamblia in stool specimens, Ridascreen Giardia and Serazym Giardia, were evaluated. A total of 88 stool specimens were collected from patients who presented for various medical complaints in our outpatient clinic. Every specimen was examined by a conventional microscopic examination (CME), PCR and tested by both EIA kits. When microscopy was used as the reference standard, the Ridascreen Giardia showed a sensitivity of 72.9% and a specificity of 100%. Serazym Giardia had a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 100%. Antigen detection by EIA has been established as a valuable tool to make parasite stool diagnostics more effective.