title: Evaluation of a novel kit (TF-Test) for the diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections.
abstract: Intestinal parasitic infections are currently a source of concern for Public Health agencies in developing and developed countries. Since three ovum-and-parasite stool examinations have been demonstrated to provide sensitive results, we designed a practical and economical kit (TF-Test) that is now commercially available (Immunoassay Com. Ind. Ltda., São Paulo, Brazil). This kit allows the separate collection of three fecal specimens into a preservative solution. The specimens are then pooled, double-filtered, and concentrated by a single rapid centrifugation process. The TF-Test was evaluated in four different laboratories in a study using 1,102 outpatients and individuals living in an endemic area for enteroparasitosis. The overall sensitivity found using the TF-Test (86.2-97.8%) was significantly higher (P<0.01) than the sensitivity of conventional techniques such as the Coprotest (NL Comércio Exterior Ltda, São Paulo, Brazil) and the combination of Lutz/Hoffman, Faust, and Rugai techniques (De Carli, Diagnóstico Laboratorial das Parasitoses Humanas. Métodos e Técnicas, 1994), which ranged from 48.3% to 75.9%. When the above combined three specimen technique was repeated with three specimens collected on different days, its sensitivity became similar (P>0.01) to that of the TF-Test. The kappa index values of agreement for the TF-Test were consistent (P<0.01), being higher and ranking in a better position than conventional techniques. The high sensitivity, cost/benefit ratio, and practical aspects demonstrate that the TF-Test is suitable for individual diagnosis, epidemiological inquiries, or evaluation of chemotherapy in treated communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Parasitology, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jancarlo Ferreira
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Sumie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoshino-Shimizu
authors.forename: Luiz Cândido S
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Ana Júlia S A
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.forename: Vera L P
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Castilho
authors.forename: Fátima A M A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Neves
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity