Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Children on a Taiwan Offshore Island Determined by the use of Several Diagnostic Methods.

摘要

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in 158 school children on the island of Kuei Shan Tao was determined by direct smear and ether-concentration methods of examination of five formalinized stool (FDEC) specimens collected over a 10-day period. One specimen from each child was also examined by culture and by the polyvinyl alcohol-fixative trichrome staining method (PVAT), and single perianal swabs were examined for helminth eggs. The cumulative prevalence rates for the five specimens from each child showed gradual increases for all intestinal parasites with each successive stool examination, and significantly more protozoa were found by the PVAT technique than by FDEC examination of the corresponding formalinized specimen. Although few amebae were isolated by culture, Trichomonas hominis was detected in 20% of the children by this method and Enterobius vermicularis eggs were found in 13% of the children by use of perianal swabs. The overall prevalence rates, determined by all methods of examination is given. Since multiple stool specimens are difficult to obtain, the FDEC and PVAT techniques are recommended when only single stools are obtainable.