A Comparison of Three Staining Techniques for Protozoan Parasites as Applied to PVA-Preserved Fecal Specimens

Abstract

The relative efficiency of iron hematoxylin, trichrome and Law-less'' stains for intestinal protozoa was tested on 115 stool specimens obtained from permanent residents of a coffee plantation in Chiapas, Mexico. Each specimen was subjected to the 3 staining techniques. The differences between iron hematoxylin and trichrome were small and did not consistently favor one method over the other. Lawless'' stain, when applied to PVA-preserved specimens, was unsatisfactory.