Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

23.4K

Evaluation of different concentration techniques for microscopic diagnosis of protozoa and helminths in stool samples

Krati Agarwal1, Shailja Mishra1, Parul Singh1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, AIIMS, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
|March 21, 2025
PubMed

Insights

The Formol-Ether Acetate Concentration (FAC) technique is superior for detecting intestinal parasitic infections in children compared to Formal-Ether Concentration (FEC) and wet mount methods. This improved detection aids in understanding IPI prevalence and guiding public health strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) significantly impair child development in developing nations.
  • These infections worsen malnutrition and affect physical and intellectual growth in early childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the diagnostic performance of stool concentration techniques (Formol-Ether Acetate Concentration [FAC] and Formal-Ether Concentration [FEC]) against routine wet mount examination for identifying intestinal parasites in children.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of different diagnostic methods in a hospital-based setting.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 110 children aged six months to five years presenting with diarrhea.
  • Diagnostic performance was assessed by comparing results from wet mount examination, FAC, and FEC.

Main Results:

  • Formol-Ether Acetate Concentration (FAC) detected parasites in 75% of cases, Formal-Ether Concentration (FEC) in 62%, and wet mount in 41%.
  • Protozoan infections, including Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia, were most prevalent.
  • Concentration methods demonstrated superior detection rates for IPIs, especially for dual infections.

Conclusions:

  • The Formol-Ether Acetate Concentration (FAC) technique exhibits higher sensitivity than FEC and wet mount for diagnosing IPIs.
  • Environmental, socioeconomic, and geographical factors influence IPI prevalence.
  • FAC is recommended for its efficacy, safety, and suitability for rural settings, emphasizing the need for enhanced public health measures.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChildrenIndiaintestinal infections

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Coproparasitoscopic Examination of Dog Stools for Control and Prevention of Zoonotic Parasite Diseases03:46

Author Spotlight: Coproparasitoscopic Examination of Dog Stools for Control and Prevention of Zoonotic Parasite Diseases

Published on: December 15, 2023

2.1K
Comparative Analysis of Automatic Fecal Analyzer versus Direct Wet Smear Microscopy for Detecting Parasitic Infections in Stool Samples04:57

Comparative Analysis of Automatic Fecal Analyzer versus Direct Wet Smear Microscopy for Detecting Parasitic Infections in Stool Samples

Published on: April 25, 2025

197

Related Concept Videos

Differential Staining Technique01:26

Differential Staining Technique

Differential staining is an essential microbiological technique that exploits variations in cell wall structures to classify and identify microorganisms. It facilitates the distinction of bacteria, aiding in diagnostic and research applications. Two of the most widely used differential staining methods are Gram staining and acid-fast staining, both of which rely on the chemical and structural differences in bacterial cell walls.Gram Staining TechniqueGram staining differentiates bacteria by...
2.7K
Special Staining Techniques01:13

Special Staining Techniques

Specialized staining techniques play a vital role in microbiology by enabling the visualization of specific bacterial structures that remain undetectable with standard microscopy methods. These techniques not only enhance the structural visualization of bacterial cells but also provide critical insights into their pathogenicity and classification. Additionally, they support diagnostic and research endeavors in microbiology by identifying key bacterial features.Capsule Staining for Virulence...
1.7K
Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods01:23

Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods

Direct methods for measuring microbial populations in a culture are essential tools in microbiology, providing quantitative data for various applications. Among these, microscopic counts, plate counts, and serial dilution are widely used techniques, each with unique principles and applications.Microscopic CountsMicroscopic counting involves the use of a Petroff-Hausser chamber, a specialized microscope slide with a grid and defined depth. By observing a liquid culture under a microscope,...
2.9K