Detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts from out-patients of the Severance Hospital, Korea.

A total of 230 randomly collected formalin-fixed fecal samples (submitted to the Severance Hospital, Yonsei University) were selected for tests for human cryptosporidiosis. The stool specimens were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts by acid-fast (AF) stain, auramin-rhodamine (AR) stain, and monoclonal antibody (mAb) OW3 fluorescence method specific for oocyst wall. Of the 230 stool specimens, 21% were identified by the AF method, 22% were identified by the AR method, and 10% were identified by the mAb fluorescence method, indicating that human Cryptosporidium infections have been existing in Korea.