Age-stratified Bayesian analysis to estimate sensitivity and specificity of four diagnostic tests for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in neonatal calves.

ABSTRACT: There is no gold standard diagnostic test for the detection of bovine cryptosporidiosis. Infection is usually highest in 2-week-old calves, and these calves also excrete high numbers of oocysts. These factors may give rise to variations in the sensitivity and specificity of the various diagnostic tests used to detect infection in calves of various ages. An age-stratified Bayesian analysis was carried out to determine the optimum diagnostic test to identify asymptomatic and clinical Cryptosporidium sp. infection in neonatal calves. Fecal samples collected from 82 calves at 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks of age were subjected to the following tests: microscopic examination of smears stained with either phenol-auramine O or fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated anti-Cryptosporid

SUBMITTER: De Waele V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3020464 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature