title: A field evaluation of the formol-detergent method for concentrating faecal parasites.
abstract: A faecal parasite concentration method which utilizes a formalin-detergent solution has recently been described. This technique was evaluated under field conditions in the Out-Patient Department of a hospital in Northern Tanzania. Fifty faecal samples were examined by saline wet preparation and following formol-detergent concentration. Forty-one different parasite identifications were made by both techniques. Ten parasites were found only on saline wet preparation, and 20 were found only in the formol-detergent concentrate. The method necessitates a 24-h delay in sending a report, which is not justified by the small improvement in diagnostic yield. The authors believe that a modification of the technique may yet achieve acceptable results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramsay
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Mnzava
authors.forename: F I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Ngowi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003902:Detergents; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006801:Humans; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D013636:Tanzania
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D005557:Formaldehyde