The need for three stool specimens in routine laboratory examinations for intestinal parasites
Nazer, H.; Greer, W.; Donnelly, K.; Mohamed, A.E.; Yaish, H.; Kagalwalla, A.; Pavillard, R.
British Journal of Clinical Practice 47(2): 76-78
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0007-0947 PMID: 8334067 Document Number: 405191
A group of 175 patients had a total of 525 stool specimens collected over a 14-day period to determine whether 3 sequential stool specimens are necessary for reliable detection of intestinal parasites in routine laboratory examinations. Of these samples, 321 (61.1%) were positive. Examination of first stool specimens detected parasites and/or ova in 102 (58.3%), examination of a second specimen identified an additional 36 positive patients (20.6%) and examination of a third specimen yielded another 37 previously undetected patients (21.1%). These findings indicated that at least 3 stool specimens should be examined to confirm the presence of intestinal parasites.