ABSTRACT

In coproparasitological examination, there is need to perform concentration methods in order to increase the probability of finding helminth eggs and protozoa cysts in addition to the widely used direct examination, especially when they are low in number. In this study, seven concentration methods were investigated on 134 fecal specimens as to their conformity of test results, difficulties in performing the test or interpretation, the time required and the cost. The methods compared were flotation methods using ZnSO4, modified ZnSO4, saturated NaCl and Sheather’s sugar flotation and sedimentation methods using Ritchie formalin-ether, modified Telemann and simple sedimentation. Statistical analysis was performed with kappa and McNemar tests. The procedure of the methods were more troublesome when sedimentation techniques were performed, interpretation was easy for helminth eggs but difficult for protozoa cysts with all of the methods, the time required varied between 7-50 minutes, and none of them were expensive. Every laboratory can make their own choices depending upon their conditions, but according to the results of this study, it is apparent that simple sedimentation techniques together with the modified ZnSO4 flotation method would increase the success of the laboratory in diagnosis.