A Simple Device for Concentration of Parasite Eggs, Larvae, and Protozoa

Abstract

Zierdt, Willadene S.: A simple device for concentration of parasite eggs, larvae, and protozoa. Am J Clin Pathol 70: 89–93, 1978. A device for the concentration of parasite eggs, larvae and protozoa from a 1 gram fecal sample is described. It consists of separable upper chamber and lower 15 ml conical centrifuge tube connected by a midpiece which incorporates a filter of stainless steel mesh. A small plastic tube for air venting passes through the filter. Emulsification of the sample is done in the upper chamber by shaking with 10% formalin, glass beads, and Triton X-100. The emulsified sample is then filtered into the lower chamber. Ether is added through the upper chamber to wash remaining eggs and larvae into the lower chamber, which is then capped, shaken, and centrifuged. Following centrifugation, the top plug of debris is removed and the tube is drained and swabbed clean, leaving a small, packed sediment, containing the parasite eggs and larvae. The device yielded as much as 300 times the egg yield of the direct wet mount and was comparable to standard concentration methods. The increased separation of eggs and larvae in this device is probably due to the physical characteristics that are imparted to the fecal solids during shaking with ether, glass beads, and Triton, and passage through the wire gauze.