Diagnosing giardiasis traditionally involves ova and parasite analysis, a time consuming method. Recently developed for purposes of analyzing freshwater drinking supplies, a fluorescent monoclonal antibody to Giardia lamblia was evaluated for its applicability in the detection of cysts in human stool. Using positive and control stool specimens, the monoclonal antibody incubation technique identified correctly all specimens prepared from the positive donor pool with 100% sensitivity. Monoclonal antibody detection of Giardia lamblia may prove to be an excellent screening test for cysts in human stool.
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