Direct wet mounts versus concentration for routine parasitological examination: are both necessary?

• Published in: American journal of clinical pathology Vol. 89; no. 3; p. 389
• Main Authors: Watson, B, Blitzer, M, Rubin, H, Nachamkin, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-03-1988
• Subjects: Costs and Cost Analysis; Feces - parasitology; Humans; Parasitology - economics; Parasitology - methods; Parasitology - standards; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0002-9173
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/89.3.389

The authors evaluated the usefulness of direct wet mount microscopic examination of stool samples for routine parasitologic diagnosis compared with formalin-ethyl acetate concentration detection. Over a three-year period, there were no instances in which an intestinal parasite was detected only by the direct wet mount examination. Elimination of routine direct wet mount examinations can reduce laboratory cost and save significant technologist time without decreasing the sensitivity of microscopic examinations for common parasitic agents.