title: Significantly increased recovery of intestinal parasites on routine stool specimen evaluation.
abstract: Three hundred thirty-six stool samples from October 2001 through October 2002 were analyzed for the presence of intestinal parasites. Fifty-six of these (16.7%) were positive for a total of 66 parasites; 65/66 (98.5%) were detected by iodine and dimethyl sulfoxide-modified acid-fast (DMSO-mAFB) stained smears of fresh and formalin-ethylacetate sedimentation concentrated samples. Saline, iodine, and DMSO-mAFB stained smears of fresh stool samples alone detected significantly fewer parasites, finding only 50/66 (75.8%) (p < 0.05). Stool samples analyzed by trichrome stained specimens preserved in Zinc sulfate polyvinyl alcohol (Zinc PVA) detected only 41/ 66 (62.2%) of the parasites. In our study population, it was necessary to perform the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standard (NCCLS) recommended to accurately detect intestinal parasites. The concentration technique is simple and significantly increased the detection of intestinal parasites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Enteric Diseases, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), US Army Medical Component, Phyathai, Bangkok, Thailand. boonchaiw@afrims.org
authors.forename: Boonchai
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wongstitwilairoong
authors.forename: Apichai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Srijan
authors.forename: Songmuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piyaphong
authors.forename: Vitaya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Khungvalert
authors.forename: Orapan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chivaratanond
authors.forename: Ladaporn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bodhidatta
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Mason
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology; D007455:Iodine; D008739:Methyl Green; D012997:Solvents; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013785:Thailand; D014131:Trace Elements
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D004396:Coloring Agents; D012997:Solvents; D014131:Trace Elements; C017768:trichrome stain; D008739:Methyl Green; D007455:Iodine; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide