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An analysis of staining methods for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in water-related samples

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

H. V. Smith ,
A. McDiarmid ,
A. L. Smith ,
A. R. Hinson  and
R. A. Gilmour
H. V. Smith
Affiliation:
Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW
A. McDiarmid
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow DG1 1XN
A. L. Smith
Affiliation:
Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW
A. R. Hinson
Affiliation:
Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW
R. A. Gilmour
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow DG1 1XN
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Summary

The ability of five staining techniques, originally developed for the rapid identification of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in faecal samples, to detect oocysts in water and water-related samples was assessed. All the stains used (modified Ziehl Neelsen, auramine-phenol (Lempert), Wright-Giemsa, safranin-methylene blue and FITC-labelled monoclonal antibody) stained oocysts after storage in water for 2 months at 4 °C (71–89 % of control values). Storage of oocysts below 0 °C greatly reduced the staining ability of auramine-phenol. With the exception of oocysts stored in raw and final waters, the histochemical stains proved less useful in detecting oocysts than the monoclonal antibody. Organisms of similar size and shape took up these stains, causing confusion in interpretation. Cold Ziehl Neelsen and the FITC-labelled monoclonal antibody were best at identifying oocysts from a waterborne outbreak. Screening with a fluorescent antibody, followed by confirmation with cold Ziehl Neelsen, where possible, are the currently recommended procedures for the detection of oocysts in water-related samples.

Keywords

Cryptosporidium spp.detectionstaining techniquesoocysts.
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 99 , Issue 3 , December 1989 , pp. 323 - 327
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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