Table 3.

Comparison of Entamoeba histolytica sensitivity between whole stool samples and stool samples stored on Whatman protein saver cards

Application method	DNA extraction method	High parasite load* (N = 10)	Low parasite load† (N = 10)	All samples (N = 20)
		Sensitivity (95% CI)	Sensitivity (95% CI)	Sensitivity (95% CI)
Whole stool directly on Whatman cards	Qiagen	100% (95% CI: 69%, 100%)	20% (95% CI: 3%, 56%)	60% (95% CI: 36%, 81%)
	Chelex	90% (95% CI: 56%, 100%)	50% (95% CI: 19%, 81%)	70% (95% CI: 46%, 88%)
Stool suspension on Whatman cards	Qiagen	100% (95% CI: 69%, 100%)	70% (95% CI: 35%, 93%)	85% (95% CI: 62%, 97%)
	Chelex	90% (95% CI: 56%, 100%)	60% (95% CI: 26%, 88%)	75% (95% CI: 51%, 91%)

CI = confidence interval.

* Whole stool ct value < 30.

† Whole stool ct value ≥ 30.