Comparison of ELISA and microscopy for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in animals

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parasite has gained an attention as an emerging pathogen in the last few decades. It is a zoonotic and is transmitted via the fecal-oral route; this has been implicated as one of the more important opportunistic infections in patients with Acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The results showed the presence of Cryptosporidium oocyst in fecal of sheep (11.1 and 22.2%), goats (15.5 and 10.3%) and camels (18.4 and 22.4%) by using microscopic Ziehl-Neelsen and a serological Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Since there is no a gold standard technique for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts; this study aimed to compare the efficacy of microscopic tests in the detection of oocysts in feces with ELISA assay. Results showed that positive samples (22.4 and 22.2%) were detected by ELISA in camels and sheep respectively. Contrary, Ziehl-Neelsen exceeded ELISA in the detection of oocysts in goats samples (15.5 and 10.3%) in goats. Statistical analysis clarified a significant correlation between Ziehl-Neelsen and ELISA for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts.