Evaluation of some direct diagnostic methods in intestinal parasitic infections

Stool specimens of 100 cases attending the outpatient clinic of Cairo Medical Center Hospital suffering from gastro-intestinal disturbances were examined for intestinal parasites by direct smear, trichrome stained smear and formol ethyl acetate concentration methods. Although formol ethyl acetate concentration method gave the best results (45%), followed by trichrome stain (37%) then direct smear (32%) yet, for a reliable diagnosis a combination of several techniques is required.