title: Diagnostic clinical parasitology: I. Proper specimen collection and processing.
abstract: This article (first of a series of four papers on diagnostic clinical parasitology) presents various collection methods and diagnostic procedures which are available for laboratory diagnosis of human parasitic infections. The information presented includes the pros and cons of each method discussed. When a laboratory selects various procedures, this decision should be based on a thorough understanding of the value and limitations of each technique selected. The topics to be included in the next three presentations include: protozoa, helminths, and blood parasites.
mesh_terms: D004986:Ether; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006416:Hematoxylin; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine; D007501:Iron; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D019346:Sodium Acetate; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013431:Sulfates; D013849:Thimerosal; D015032:Zinc
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; C025466:Schaudinn's fixative; D013431:Sulfates; C025465:sodium acetate-formalin fixative; D004986:Ether; D005557:Formaldehyde; D013849:Thimerosal; D019346:Sodium Acetate; C025464:merthiolate-iodine-formalin fixative; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D007455:Iodine; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc; D006416:Hematoxylin