Staining methods for the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis: appraisal.

Simple methods which can be used in any modest laboratory for the diagnosis of Cryptosporidiosis in human and animal faeces are described. These methods may be applied to duodenal and lung aspirations. The Ziehl-Nelseen and Köster modified methods were found to be suitable in the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium due to their specificity and simplicity as compared to other staining methods. Köster modified method is more specific in demonstrating the sporozoïtes.