Over the years, detection of these protozoa has been a challenge. Beginning from examination of small or large bowel

biopsy material to different staining techniques and their modifications, several methods have been adopted. Many of these techniques are cumbersome and time consuming. Moreover, some protozoa can selleck chemicals be missed out by using just one method. Therefore, rapid and sensitive techniques are needed to give an early diagnosis of these protozoal infections as the results can influence therapeutic intervention. To the best of our knowledge this study is the first of its kind from India in which we did a comprehensive evaluation of different techniques for the identification of the opportunistic enteric protozoa. The study group comprised of patients hailing from rural families of lower economic status [2]. Therefore, PLX3397 order this study was designed to compare direct microscopy, modified formol ether concentration, staining methods, fluorescent microscopy and Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbant Assay (ELISA) on the basis of the following attributes: yield, cost, time taken, expertise and infrastructure. Methods This study was conducted from January 2006 to December 2008 in the Department of Microbiology, IMS, BHU, Varanasi, India. The Institute ethical committee clearance was obtained to conduct the study. Study

cases A total of 450 stool samples of known HIV positive patients who complained of diarrhea were collected from the Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART)

centre of SS Hospital and Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC), IMS, BHU, Varanasi, India. The samples were collected from the patients as and when they reported and they were duly informed about their samples being used for research purpose to which they agreed. Some of these patients were on HAART. Subjects who were HIV negative and without diarrhea were not included in the study. Controls Family members of the HIV patients coming from the same environmental background who were HIV negative and had diarrhea were chosen as controls. We collected stool samples from 200 such subjects. Direct microscopic examination Stool samples were collected in wide-mouthed disposable containers and processed immediately. CHIR-99021 If there was a delay in the processing of the samples, they were preserved at 4°C. The samples were divided into three parts. The first part was subjected to direct microscopic examination. With the help of an applicator stick the stool sample was emulsified in a drop of saline on a clean dry slide and in a drop of lugols iodine on another slide. These were covered with cover slips and observed under the microscope at 400× magnification for the detection of ova and cysts. Modified formol ether concentration The second part of the samples was concentrated by Modified formol ether technique [3].