Evaluation of Modified Formalin-Ether Concentration Method Using Para Tube in Clinical Settings

Conventional formalin-ether concentration method is a gold standard for the diagnosis of parasite infection. However, it may be time-consuming and laborious. We aimed to reveal the clinical usefulness of a modified formalin-ether concentration method using the Para Tube (KS Corporation, Korea) compared with the conventional method. A total of 117 fresh, unpreserved fecal samples composed to 90 negative controls and 27 positive controls with ova of Diphyllobothrium latum/D. nihonkaiense, ova of Clonorchis sinensis and cysts of Giardia lamblia were used in this study. Both methods showed comparable correct identification rate (87.2% for the Para Tube vs. 86.3% for the conventional method).When five samples were examined at once, the Para Tube method reduced the procedure time compared with the conventional method (19 min 58 sec vs. 23 min 18 sec, P=0.0286). We concluded that the modified formalin-ether concentration method using the Para Tube is a rapid, simple, and reliable fecal concentration method for clinical use.