The following case was generously donated by Blaine Mathison. It is a photograph from a slide stained with a fluorescent antibody to a particular parasite. The green fluorescing objects measure approximately 4-6 micrometers in diameter. Diagnosis?
With this size and the direct fluorescent assay, on can only direct the diagnosis toward Cryptosporidium parvum. On a side note, we should be a bit cautious not to rely solely on the fluorescent test as the conjugate does not react positively to all species of Cryptosporidium capable of causing diarrhoea. Our experience is that, if you find small 4-6 microns refringent green organisms either with your iodine prep or better with your eosin prep (somewhat like a small Granny Smith apple with a bite on the side) and the DFA is negative, we can confirm with the carbol fuchsin acid fast stain for the presence of Cryptosporidium species. We did have a few cases like this in our lab.
Cryptosporidium?
ReplyDeleteWith this size and the direct fluorescent assay, on can only direct the diagnosis toward Cryptosporidium parvum. On a side note, we should be a bit cautious not to rely solely on the fluorescent test as the conjugate does not react positively to all species of Cryptosporidium capable of causing diarrhoea. Our experience is that, if you find small 4-6 microns refringent green organisms either with your iodine prep or better with your eosin prep (somewhat like a small Granny Smith apple with a bite on the side) and the DFA is negative, we can confirm with the carbol fuchsin acid fast stain for the presence of Cryptosporidium species. We did have a few cases like this in our lab.
ReplyDeleteFlorida Fan
Very nice inclusion of the Starship Enterprise Blaine.
ReplyDeleteFlorida Fan
Cryptosporidium
ReplyDeleteCryptosporidium enterprisium?
ReplyDeleteLee
This is the most entertaining case I've seen so far. Cryptosporidium it is.
ReplyDelete-E.T.
Cryptosporidium But can't call it parvum could be other like hominus
ReplyDeleteCryptosporidium species,
ReplyDeleteScotty beam me up !
Hans Naus