Development of PCR-RFLP method to distinguish between Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis in Taiwan water samples.

Cryptosporidium, a protozoan pathogen that causes cryptosporidiosis has emerged as an important source of diarrheal illness among humans and animals. The current routine laboratory technique used for Cryptosporidium diagnosis is light microscopy with acid-fast staining but the technique has low efficiency and sensitivity for species-specific identification. Single PCR to amplify a 220 bp fragment of 18 S ribosomal DNA of C.

Microbial contaminations of laboratory mice and rats in Taiwan from 2004 to 2007.

Limited data are available on the pathogen status of contemporary rodent colonies in Taiwan. Here we summarized the rodent pathogen diagnostic records of the Taiwan National Laboratory Animal Center during a 4-y period that representing approximately 10% of the rodent colonies in Taiwan. Demand for pathogen diagnostic service increased continuously from 2004 to 2007, with a 20% increase each year.

Increased risk for Entamoeba histolytica infection and invasive amebiasis in HIV seropositive men who have sex with men in Taiwan.

Background: Incidence of Entamoeba histolytica infection and clinical manifestations and treatment response of invasive amebiasis (IA) in HIV-infected patients have rarely been investigated before.

Methodology/principal Findings: At the National Taiwan University Hospital, medical records of HIV-infected patients who received a diagnosis of IA between 1994 and 2005 were reviewed. The incidence of amebiasis was investigated in serial blood and stool samples from 670 and 264 HIV-infected patients, respectively, using serological and specific amebic antigen assays.

Prevalence of intestinal infection due to Cryptosporidium species among Taiwanese patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Background/purpose: Cryptosporidiosis causes significant morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients who do not receive highly active antiretroviral therapy. Related data on cryptosporidiosis in Taiwanese HIV-infected patients are very limited. This study assessed the prevalence of intestinal infection due to Cryptosporidium spp.