Examination of Giardia intestinalis with Direct Microscopy and Direct Fluorescent Antibody in Patients with Diarrhea.

Abstract

In this study, our objective was to compare direct microscopic examination and direct fluorescence antibody (DFA) method for Giardia diagnosis in stool samples and to evaluate the possible risk factors related to Giardia infections. Stool samples of 185 patients with diarrhoea collected between June 2019 and July 2019 in Erzurum Yakutiye Research Hospital were included in the study. Microscopic examination of the samples was performed with native-lugol, and they were subsequently scanned by the indirect fluorescent assay microscope using the DFA method at 100-200X magnification. In addition, all patients filled a questionnaire prepared to determine the possible risk factors related to Giardia infection. The age of the 185 participating patients who belonged to different groups was between 0 and 94 years. Giardia spp. cysts were detected in five stool samples (2.7%) using direct microscopic examination. Nine samples (4.9%) were DFA-positive. The incidence of giardiasis was noted to be 7.5% in children, 3.8% in adults, 7.3% in people living in rural areas, 2.9% in people living in urban areas, 10% in people having pets and 4.2% in people who do not have pets. By taking the DFA method as a reference, the sensitivity and specificity of the microscopic examination were found to be 44.4% and 99.4%, respectively. The Giardia positivity rate was higher in children, those living in rural areas, those having pets and those using well water as drinking water.