Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T07:53:21.040Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Application of a ‘Standardized factor‘ to egg counting techniques for better prediction of worm burdens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

B. Sinniah
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology and Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
D. Sinniah
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
K. Subramaniam
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology and Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

The reliability of Stoll's dilution egg count technique, Beaver's direct smear technique and Katz's modified thick smear technique were evaluated on patients with ascariasis. Studies revealed that the modified thick smear technique appears to be more reliable and accurate. The use of these three techniques revealed a significant correlation between the number of eggs per gram (e.p.g.) and worm load. Following the introduction of a standardized factor in a study of 30 patients with worm infections, a highly significant correlation was obtained between the e.p.g. and the worm load for all three techniques. The use of a Standardized Factor is recommended for better prediction of the worm burden. The results of this study reveal that a female Ascaris lumbricoides lays an average of 218,094 (range 82,251–365,200) eggs daily. The ratio of male to female A. lumbricoides was 1:1·4

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Augustine, D. L., Nazmi, M., Helmy, M. & Garvan, E. G. (1928) The Ova Parasite ratio for Ancylostoma duodenale and Ascaris lumbricoides. Journal of Parasitology, 15, 4551.Google Scholar
Beaver, P. C. (1949) Quantitative hookworm diagnosis by direct smear. Journal of Parasitology, 35, 125135.Google Scholar
Beaver, P. C. (1950) The standardisation of fascal smears for estimating egg production and worm burden. Journal of Parasitology, 36, 451456.Google Scholar
Beaver, P. C. (1975) Biology of Soil transmitted helminths: the massive infection. Health Laboratory Science, 12, 116125.Google Scholar
Brown, H. W.Cort, W. M. (1927) The egg production of Ascaris lumbricoides. Journal of Parasitology, 15, 4551.Google Scholar
Delgado, R.Garnica, Y. & Martinez-Murray, R. (1970) L'irregularile de laponte d'ascaris lumbricoides. Annales de Parasitologic, 45, 223226.Google Scholar
Farid, Z., BassiLi, SWissa, J.Omar, M. S. (1966) Single dose treatment for Ascaris infection with piperazine citrate with a study of the egg parasite ratio. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 15,516518.Google Scholar
Katz, N., Caves, A.Pelegrino, J. (1972) A simple device for quantitative stool thick smear technique in Schistosoma mansoni. Revista de Instituto de Medicina tropica de Sao Paulo, 14, 397400.Google Scholar
KomiYa, Y. & Kobayashi, A. (1966) Evaluation of Kato'S thick smear technique with cellophane cover for helminth eggs in facces. Japanese Journal Medical Science and Biology, 19, 5964.Google Scholar
Martin, L. K. (1965) Randomness of particle distribution in human feces and the resulting influence on helminth egg counting. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 14, 747759.Google Scholar
Martin, L. K.Beaver, P. C. (1968) Evaluation of Kato thick smear technique for quantitative diagnosis of helminth infections. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 17,382391.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mello, D. A. (1974) A note on egg production of Ascaris lumbricoides. Journal of Parasitology, 60,380381.Google Scholar
Stoll, N. R. (1923) Investigations on the Control of hookworm diseases. An effective method of counting hookworm eggs in the faeces. American Journal of Hygiene, 3, 5970.Google Scholar
Stoll, N.R. & Hausheer, W. C. (1926) Accuracy in The dilution egg counting method American Journal of Hygiene, 6, (Supplement), 80133.Google Scholar
Zaman, VCheong, C. H. (1967) A comparison of kato thick smear technique with zinc sulphate flotation method, for the detection of helminth ova in faeces. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 61, 751.CrossRefGoogle Scholar