An Efficient Concentration Method (AEX) for Detecting Helminthic Ova in Feces (Modification of the Telemann Technic)

Abstract

Summary 1. A modification of the Telemann hydrochloric acid-ether technic is presented, in which hydrochloric acid with a specific gravity of 1.030 and a mixture of equal parts of ether and xylol, are employed. We refer to this modification as AEX. 2. The use of hydrochloric acid with a specific gravity of 1.030 provides satisfactory acid disintegration of the feces and permits ova of all species to be easily sedimented by centrifugation. 3. The addition of the xylol diminishes the adhesive properties of the coagulum of the fecal debris and prevents foaming common to the use of ether alone. 4. AEX was found to be far superior to both the Telemann and Lane DCF technics in both diagnosis and in egg recovery rates in infection showing hookworm, fertile Ascaris and Trichuris ova, while in infections showing Schistosoma or infertile Ascaris ova AEX was the only procedure which consistently demonstrated them. Diagnostically, all species of parasite eggs occurring in feces should be readily found by AEX. 5. In a helminthic survey made under field conditions AEX has proved a reliable diagnostic procedure.