Improved Detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Modified Agar Plate Cultures

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 96; no. 4; pp. 863 - 865
• Main Authors: Pocaterra, Leonor A, Ferrara, Giuseppe, Peñaranda, Rosaura, Rojas, Elsy, Pérez-Chacón, Gladymar, Hernán, Aurora, Certad, Gabriela, Goldstein, Carlos, Núñez, Luz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 05-04-2017
• Subjects: Agar; Animals; Culture Media; Hookworm Infections - diagnosis; Hookworm Infections - parasitology; Humans; Parasitology - methods; Sensitivity and Specificity; Strongyloides stercoralis - isolation & purification
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0414

AbstractA modification of Koga agar plate culture was performed, consisting of a 2 × 2-cm cellophane paper centered on the agar plate to prevent bacterial contamination of the agar and daily dish examinations (days 2-5). Between January 2000 and July 2005, we examined 1,708 infection-suspected patients, of which 147 (8.6%) harbored
. Single modified agar plate cultures exhibited superior sensitivity (93.2%), compared with different three-sample screening methods (sensitivity-Baermann: 76.6%, formalin-ethyl acetate: 22%, and direct smear: 15.3%). Agar plate cultures stand out as helpful alternatives for improved detection and therapy monitoring in poor countries and endemic areas. Combined with Baermann methods, they provide increased probability for
detection.