Long term formalin preserved stool specimens for detection of intestinal parasites from school aged children in Tripoli, Libya.
A total of 949 single stool samples were collected from school aged children (5-14 years old) in the city of Tripoli. The samples were preserved in 10% formalin and examined by routine microscopy using normal saline and Lugol's iodine preparations as well as the formol ethyl concentration method after a storage period of twelve months at room temperature. Of 949 samples examined 4.5% were positive. Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba coli were the only protozoan parasites identified with an infection rate of 3.2% & 1.3% respecttively. No helminthes were detected in any of the samples. About 14% of the children had intestinal yeast infection Candida albicans in their stool of which 0.63% was infected with intestinal parasites. No distortion or alteration of morphology was observed particularly in G. lamblia. Preservation in 10% formalin is a very productive means for the accurate identification of protozoan parasites.
Ben Musa
Najla A
NA
Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya. najla_bm@yahoo.com
Ibrahim
R
R
D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005404:Fixatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008002:Libya / Q000453:epidemiology; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*
D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde