Abstract

Objective: To assess the diagnostic performance in human stool samples of a rapid, qualitative, solid-phase immunochromatographic test (Alere®) originally developed to detect Giardia duodenalis antigens in fecal samples of dogs. Methods: Samples from 54 patients with a previous diagnosis of giardiasis were tested by the microscopic examination to assess the performance of an immunochromatographic kit developed to detect Giardia duodenalis coproantigen in dog feces. Results: The agreement between the microscopic and the immunological methods was 83.3%. These findings are consistent with those of other studies using human specific kits. Conclusions: It is suggested that the same immunochromatographic test could be used for Giardia diagnosis in both species.

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