Comparison of nine commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detection of Giardia lamblia in fecal specimens

Overall performance, including ease of use, total hands-on time, incubation and processing times, sensitivity, and specificity, of each of nine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were compared by using 222 individual fetal samples submitted for the detection of Giardia lamblia. The assays evaluated were manufactured by Alexon, Inc., Cambridge Biotech Corp., Meridian, Inc., and Trend Scientific, Inc. All assays used polyclonal antibodies except the 'new and improved' Microplate (direct and diluted methods) by Alexon, which is a monoclonal antibody assay. Seventy specimens were positive for G. lamblia by ELISA, ova and parasite test, and/or direct fluorescent-antibody assay. One hundred fifty two were negative by all three method. Sensitivities and specificities ranged from 88.6 to 100% and 99.3 to 100%, respectively. The total hands-on time needed to run one specimen ranged from 1 min to 2 min 17 s per specimen. All except one commercially available ELISA were found to be rapid, sensitive, and specific for the detection of G. lamblia in fecal specimens.