Comparison of Copro-parasitological Techniques for Detection of Intestinal Parasites in Stool Samples
Loading...
Date
2013-01-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mergani Hassan Mergani
Abstract
A total of 305 stool samples (during the period of October 2011 to June 2012) were collected from patients attending Brack General Hospital and Medical Technology Department of Brack. All stool specimens were examined by direct smear preparation in normal saline, iodine and eosin stains and four concentration methods (formalin-ether, normal saline sedimentation, zinc – sulphate and Sheather’s sugar flotation) for the detection of intestinal parasites.
55 (18.03%) stools were found positive for parasites in direct smear microscopy. Formalin-ether was found to be most sensitive method (29.18%). Normal saline sedimentation, and zinc – sulphate flotation detected 27.21 and 23.60% positive samples respectively. Statistical difference (P>0.05) was not observed for the detection of overall positivity of parasites between there three concentration procedures. Sheather’s sugar flotation detected significantly (P<0.05) lower percentage (3.60%) of positive samples compared to other concentration techniques. This method was failed to detect Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Entamoeba coli and Blastocystis hominis in stool specimens. Statistical difference (P<0.05) was found for the detection of overall positivity rates of parasites between direct smear preparation and concentration techniques.
Prevalence of intestinal parasites between male and female patients was not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Higher prevalence rate of 9.18% was found among 21 – 30 years old age group, older age group was also found infected with intestinal parasites (0.98%).
B. hominis was the commonest (20.65%) parasite among the patients. E. histolytica/ dispar (6.22%), G. lamblia (1.31%) and E.coli (0.65%) were detected in the stool specimens. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in four (1.31%) and seven (2.29%) stools by formalin-ether sedimentation and Sheather’s sugar flotation respectively.
Prevalence of B. hominis was found to be significantly more (P<0.001) than other intestinal parasites detected in the stools. No, helminthic infections were recorded among patients. 28.19 and 0.98% patients had single and double infection of parasites respectively.
The results of this study demonstrate value of using of both sedimentation and flotation procedures in the detection of parasites in stool specimens. Direct smear preparations highlights its low detection efficiency compared to concentration procedures. Formalin-ether may be advantageous as a single concentration method for general parasitology laboratory for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites.
Description
Keywords
Comparison of Copro-parasitological Techniques for Detection of Intestinal Parasites in Stool Samples
Citation
A total of 305 stool samples (during the period of October 2011 to June 2012) were collected from patients attending Brack General Hospital and Medical Technology Department of Brack. All stool specimens were examined by direct smear preparation in normal saline, iodine and eosin stains and four concentration methods (formalin-ether, normal saline sedimentation, zinc – sulphate and Sheather’s sugar flotation) for the detection of intestinal parasites.