Comparison between Kato-Katz thick smear and sedimentation techniques in diagnosis of faecal-orally transmitted helminthes and other geohelminthes

ABSTRACT

Kato-Katz technique is widely used for the diagnosis of Fecal-orally transmitted helminthic infections. It is relatively simple and inexpensive. However, a single slide prepared from a single stool specimen has low sensitivity, particularly in light infections. Therefore, there is a great need for concentration techniques. This study detected an accurate and affordable method for diagnosis of fecal-orally transmitted helminthes and other geohelminthes. The study was carried out on 217 stool samples of different sex and age groups. Stool samples were collected from different urban and rural areas in Sharkia Governorate. Stool samples were examined macroscopically and analyzed by different parasitological techniques direct wet mount [DWM], Kato-Katz thick smear, spontaneous sedimentation in tube technique [SSTT] and formol ether sedimentation technique [FEC]. The results showed that formol ether sedimentation method detected 59 positive samples followed by spontaneous sedimentation in tube technique [48/59 positive samples]. FEC showed significant difference when compared to direct wet mount and Kato-Katz thick smear. SSTT also showed significant difference when compared to DWM [P <0.05].The overall prevalence of intestinal helminthes was [29.6%] among studied samples in Sharkia Governorate. The commonest helminthic infection was H. nana [12%] followed by E. vemicularis [10%] then A. lumbricoides [3.7%]