Diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminths using the Kato-Katz technique: What is the influence of stirring, storage time and storage temperature on stool sample egg counts?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Soil-transmitted helminths infect about one fifth of the world's population and have a negative impact on health. The Kato-Katz technique is the recommended method to detect soil-transmitted helminth eggs in stool samples, particularly in programmatic settings. However, some questions in its procedure remain. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of storage time, storage temperature and stirring of stool samples on fecal egg counts (FECs).

Methodology/principal findings

In the framework of a clinical trial on Pemba Island, United Republic of Tanzania, 488 stool samples were collected from schoolchildren. These samples were evaluated in three experiments. In the first experiment (n = 92), two Kato-Katz slides were prepared from the same stool sample, one was st

SUBMITTER: Bosch F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7857572 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature