| Cryptosporidiuim is one of the most important intestinal parasites in the U.S. Cryptosporidium sp. are often detected in stool specimens by using the acid fast stain. With this stain, oocysts of the parasites stain pink to red, and they measure approximately 5 µm in diameter. Cryptosporidium sp. are about the same size as yeast. Note the budding yeast in this picture. Cyclospora sp. are generally acid fast positive also; Cyclospora are approximately twice the size of Cryptosporidium sp. |  |
Copyright 2008 Don Lehman