Giardia duodenalis (synonyms G. lamblia or G. intestinalis), the only species belonging to the genus Giardia found in humans, is a pathogenic protozoan with a worldwide distribution having a more relevant prevalence in warm climate and in children. G. duodinalis is a water-borne flagellated parasite that causes giardiasis in humans. In addition, giardiasis affects domestic and wild mammals “e.g., cats, dogs, cattle, deer, and beavers” (Thompson, 2000). Host-to-host transference of Giardia cysts takes place via the fecal-oral route. This allows the protozoan to infect the next generation of hosts through a diverse range of mechanisms: person to person, animal to human or by contact with contaminated water and food. Outbreaks commonly occur in areas with inadequate water treatment, especially developing countries, where infection rates can be higher than 50% of the total population. It is well documented that in developing countries, infections are associated with poor sanitary conditions, poor water quality and overcrowding. Giardia is one of the leading protozoan causes of gastrointestinal illness worldwide and has joined the ranks of the WHO Neglected Diseases Initiative. Giardiasis constitutes an important public health problem in Egyptian children. Contamination of the Nile River with fecal materials including viruses and pathogenic protozoa still represents an environmental health hazard in Egypt, especially in rural areas. The clinical features of giardiasis range from acute or chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, vomiting, weight loss, to absence of symptoms and signs. In the diagnosis of Giardia, stool examination is the traditional, safest and easiest method. Microscopy of Giardia cysts and trophozoites is more straightforward, and there is little risk of confusion with other parasites. Moreover, only “ghost” cysts with an empty appearance are sometimes not recognized as Giardia parasites. However, the sensitivity of microscopy is quite low due to the intermittent excretion of Giardia cysts, the microscopical examination of a single stool specimen has a low sensitivity and may therefore miss up to 50% of Giardia infections. And thus, it is recommended that at least three samples be examined in order to rule out giardiasis which is time consuming and delay the diagnosis.
Human cystic hydatid disease (CHD) caused by the larval stage (hydatid cyst) of the dog tapeworm, E. granulosus, is a major infection with worldwide distribution and variable geographical incidence. The present study evaluates the two most popular techniques, sandwich ELISA and Latex techniques for the diagnosis of human hydatidosis by antigen detection. In the present study, crude protoscolex antigen (CPA) detection was carried out through several steps including the preparation of protoscoleces antigen, production; purification and labeling of rabbit IgG pAb. The Latex technique and ELISA tests have been found to be high sensitive and suitable for the antigen detection of cystic hydatid disease. In conclusion, antigen detection assay is superior and more sensitive than antibody detection assay, especially in diagnosing active infection where hydatid cysts are predominant. Antigen detection assay might be a useful approach for assessment of the efficacy of treatment especially after removal of the cyst. Further studies are recommended to improve the diagnostic efficacy of antigen based ELISA method. Sandwich ELISA and Latex techniques appear to be sufficiently sensitive assays for the detection of human echinococcosis.
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