Comparison between three concentration techniques for diagnosing intestinal parasites

Abstract

BackgroundIntestinal parasitoses still are a noticeable threat to public health. The direct diagnosis of such parasites requires the use of concentration techniques, whose sensitivities for protozoan cysts and helminth eggs are far from equal.\n\nAimTo compare the Willis, Ritchie and Bailenger concentration techniques in terms of parasite recovery, cost, time, and biosafety.\n\nMethodsThis prospective study analysed 236 stool specimens for intestinal parasites using the direct wet smear and the above-mentioned concentration techniques applied separately.\n\nResultsBiphasic techniques identified significantly more positive specimens for intestinal parasites than the Willis technique, the latter leading to less concentrated and more altered parasitic elements on microscopy. No statistically significant difference emerged from comparing Ritchies and Bailengers methods. The Willis technique was the safest, yet the costliest and the most time-consuming of the studied methods.\n\nConclusionsEven though the hazardous reagents employed may raise legitimate concerns over their health implications, biphasic techniques prove to be uncostly, quick to perform, and highly sensitive for detecting faecal parasites, therefore ensuring a safe diagnosis for routine stool examinations.