Fecal Cryptosporidium parvum antigen is a valuable biomarker used in diagnosing cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite C. parvum. This pathogen is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and is known for its high infectivity, particularly affecting individuals through contaminated water, food, or direct contact. Once inside the host, the oocysts invade the intestinal epithelium, leading to persistent and sometimes severe diarrhea, especially in vulnerable populations. It is considered one of the primary causes of prolonged diarrhea in both developing and industrialized nations.
Clinically, fecal detection of C. parvum antigens offers a non-invasive and reliable method for diagnosis, particularly useful in hospitalized patients with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms. The presence of antigens in stool can be detected using immunoassay techniques such as ELISA, which provide improved sensitivity and specificity over traditional microscopy. This is especially crucial in immunocompromised patients, such as those with AIDS, where cryptosporidiosis can become chronic and even life-threatening.
In research settings, fecal C. parvum antigen testing supports epidemiological surveillance and therapeutic monitoring. It allows for timely identification of outbreaks, assessment of public health interventions, and evaluation of treatment efficacy. Given the burden of disease and the diagnostic limitations of older staining techniques like Ziehl-Neelsen or immunofluorescence, antigen-based assays represent an essential tool in both clinical diagnostics and infectious disease research.
This product is manufactured in USA by Eagle Biosciences.