Atlantic Diagnostic Laboratories, LLC: Services

Atlantic Diagnostic Laboratory now has available a highly accurate Giardia/Cryptosporidium Screen. The test is available 7 days a week with a RAPID turnaround time. In most cases, Giardia/Cryptosporidium screen would be the preferred test to the traditional Ova & Parasite Exam. There is value in performing an Ova & Parasite exam for the following risk groups

• AIDS/Immunosuppression
• Residence or a recent immigration from a developing country
• Travel to a developing country
• Persistent undiagnosed diarrhea

Giardia lamblia is the most commonly found parasite in the United States and Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Crytosporidium is the second most common found parasite found in the United States.

There is a gross underestimation in the number of Cryptosporidium infections compared to the direct antigen testing for Giardia & Cryptosporidium versus Ova & Parasite exams and staining methods. There is a very significant increase in detection rate for both Giardia (118 versus 79 specimens, 49.4%) and Cryptosporidium (39 versus 23 specimens 69.6%), using the direct antigen testing.

Specimen Collection:
Stool in:

• A clean leak-proof plastic container.
• A Para-Pak type stool transport container with following
• Formalin
• SAF
• Cary Blair
• Stuart's
• A stool transport container with PVA cannot be used.

Ordering
Test #: 770

Order a Giardia/Cryptosporidium Screen in place of O & P Stool

If the Giardia and Cryptosporidium specific antigens are negative and you suspect another gastrointestinal parasite, the Laboratory will have retained the specimen for seven days and a microscopic examination can then be performed if subsequently requested by the clinician.

Result TAT:
Routine- 48 hours
STAT- non-STAT test- all orders are routine

Contact:
Darin Domenico
darin@adllab.net