Comparison of three methods for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in a low-prevalence population

Four hundred fecal specimens which had been received for routine ova and parasite examination were concentrated by Formalin-ether sedimentation. Sediments were examined as saline and iodine-stained wet preparations and were stained with rhodamine-auramine O and a commercially available monoclonal fluorescent-antibody stain for oocysts of Cryptosporidium species. Examination with the fluorescent stains detected cryptosporidia in both positive specimens (0.5% prevalence), and routine direct wet-preparation examination detected cryptosporidia in one of them. Detection of only low numbers of positive specimens in our nonrisk population argues against routine use of specific and expensive stain reagents.