Use of a saline gradient for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
;
104(5): 720-723, Aug. 2009. ilus, graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-528080
ABSTRACT
The development of novel methods for parasitological diagnosis that are both highly sensitive and low in cost has been strongly recommended by the World Health Organization. In this study, a new technique for diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni is proposed based on the differential sedimentation of eggs when subjected to a slow continuous flux of 3 percent saline solution through a porous plaque. This influx suspends low-density faecal material, effectively cleaning the sample. The remaining sediment covering the porous plaque surface is then transferred to a glass slide and examined under a bright field microscope. Twelve Kato-Katz slides were used for comparison in the present study. Our results suggest that the saline gradient method detects a signifi-cantly higher number of eggs than the 12 Kato-Katz slides (p < 0.0001). We also found microscopic inspection to be quicker and easier with our newly described method. After cleaning the sample, the obtained sediment can also be conserved in a 10 percent formaldehyde solution and examined for at least 45 days later without statistically significant egg count differences.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Parasite Egg Count
/
Schistosoma mansoni
/
Schistosomiasis mansoni
/
Sodium Chloride
/
Feces
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2009
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Fiocruz/BR
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