Microsporidial infections can be confirmed using which of the following techniques?

Microsporidial infections can be confirmed using light microscopy and modified trichrome stains because these techniques allow for the visualization of the characteristic spores of microsporidia in stool or biopsy samples. The modified trichrome stain enhances the contrast of the microsporidian spores, making them more easily identifiable under the microscope.

Light microscopy is a fundamental tool in microbiology for examining samples, and when combined with specific staining techniques, it can highlight features that are critical for diagnosing infections like those caused by microsporidia. Other staining methods, such as routine trichrome stains, may not provide the same level of specificity for microsporidia, which is why they are not as effective for confirming these infections.

Using phase contrast microscopy or electron microscopy could potentially reveal microsporidia, but they are not standard techniques for routine laboratory confirmation. Bound with their specialized staining requirements, techniques like light microscopy combined with modified trichrome stains are the most widely adopted for diagnosing these infections.