Fecal immunoassays are commonly used to diagnose infections with which organisms?

Fecal immunoassays are a highly effective diagnostic tool for identifying gastrointestinal infections caused by specific protozoan parasites, particularly Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. These assays work by detecting specific antigens associated with these pathogens in fecal samples.

Giardia lamblia is known for causing giardiasis, which manifests with symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Cryptosporidium spp. is responsible for cryptosporidiosis, often leading to watery diarrhea, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Both of these organisms can be challenging to identify using traditional microscopy due to their small size and the need for specialized staining techniques. Fecal immunoassays enhance sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis by directly targeting the antigens produced by these parasites, streamlining the identification process.

Other organisms mentioned in the question, while relevant to intestinal infections, typically require different diagnostic approaches. For instance, endolimax nana and Blastocystis hominis can be diagnosed through microscopy or culture methods, rather than specific immunoassays. Similarly, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura are helminths (worms) that are better detected through fecal examination of eggs rather than antigen detection. Strongy