THE DETECTION AND INCIDENCE OF HUMAN INTESTINAL PROTOZOA BY THE SIGMOIDOSCOPE

Abstract

Although Manson-Bahr¹ has advocated the use of the sigmoidoscope in the detection of low sigmoid and upper rectal amebic ulcers, it is not apparent from the available literature that sigmoidoscopy has been used as a routine diagnostic measure to determine the presence of the intestinal protozoa in general. It is our purpose in this report to compare the incidence of protozoan parasites of the human intestine from specimens of feces obtained by the use of the sigmoidoscope with the usual defecated specimens submitted for examination. Similar procedure is being employed in the estimation and study of the bacterial flora of the large bowel. This work was undertaken at the suggestion of Dr. Thomas R. Brown, associate professor of clinical medicine and chief of the gastro-intestinal clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS The types of persons examined were extremely varied. A group of nationalities was represented which appeared at the clinic for