Skip to main content
Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis logoLink to Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis
. 2004 Mar 29;18(2):132–138. doi: 10.1002/jcla.20011

Evaluation of a novel kit (TF‐Test) for the diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections

Jancarlo Ferreira Gomes 1,2, Sumie Hoshino‐Shimizu 2,3,, Luiz Cândido S Dias 1, Ana Júlia SA Araujo 4, Vera LP Castilho 5, Fátima AMA Neves 6
PMCID: PMC6808014  PMID: 15065214

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are currently a source of concern for Public Health agencies in developing and developed countries. Since three ovum‐and‐parasite stool examinations have been demonstrated to provide sensitive results, we designed a practical and economical kit (TF‐Test) that is now commercially available (Immunoassay Com. Ind. Ltda., São Paulo, Brazil). This kit allows the separate collection of three fecal specimens into a preservative solution. The specimens are then pooled, double‐filtered, and concentrated by a single rapid centrifugation process. The TF‐Test was evaluated in four different laboratories in a study using 1,102 outpatients and individuals living in an endemic area for enteroparasitosis. The overall sensitivity found using the TF‐Test (86.2–97.8%) was significantly higher (P<0.01) than the sensitivity of conventional techniques such as the Coprotest (NL Comércio Exterior Ltda, São Paulo, Brazil) and the combination of Lutz/Hoffman, Faust, and Rugai techniques (De Carli, Diagnóstico Laboratorial das Parasitoses Humanas. Métodos e Técnicas, 1994), which ranged from 48.3% to 75.9%. When the above combined three specimen technique was repeated with three specimens collected on different days, its sensitivity became similar (P>0.01) to that of the TF‐Test. The kappa index values of agreement for the TF‐Test were consistent (P<0.01), being higher and ranking in a better position than conventional techniques. The high sensitivity, cost/benefit ratio, and practical aspects demonstrate that the TF‐Test is suitable for individual diagnosis, epidemiological inquiries, or evaluation of chemotherapy in treated communities. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:132–138, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Keywords: TF‐Test, parasite‐enrichment process, pooled three fecal specimen examinations, intestinal parasitic infections

REFERENCES

  1. Rey L, editor. Bases da parasitologia médica. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Guanabara Koogan; 2002. 378 p. [Google Scholar]
  2. Rispail P, Jarry DM. Parasitic fecal analyses. Prescription, application and interpretation of results. Ann Gastroenterol Hepatol 1993;29:207–212. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Hiatt RA, Markell EK, Ng E. How many stool examinations are necessary to detect pathogenic intestinal protozoa? Am J Trop Med Hyg 1995;53:36–39. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Nazer H, Greer W, Sonnelly K, Mohamed AE, Yaish H, Kagalwalla PR. The need for three stool specimens in routine laboratory examinations for intestinal parasites. Br J Clin Pract 1993;47:76–78. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Catwright CP. Utility of multiple‐stool‐specimen ova and parasite examinations in a high‐prevalence setting. J Clin Microbiol 1999;37:2408–2411. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Hanson KL, Cartwright CP. Use of an enzyme immunoassay does not eliminate the need to analyze multiple stool specimens for sensitive detection of Giardia lamblia . J Clin Microbiol 2001;39:474–477. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Aldeen WE, Shisenant J, Hale D, Matsen J, Carroll K. Comparison of pooled formalin‐preserved fecal specimens with three individual samples for detection of intestinal parasites. J Clin Microbiol 1993;31:144–145. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Garcia LS, editor. iagnostic medical parasitology. Washington DC: ASM Press; 2001. p 754–759. [Google Scholar]
  9. Dias LCS, Mangini ACS, Teixeira ATL, Dias RMDS. Total test e métodos usados no exame de fezes: um estudo comparativo. Rev Bras Patol Clin 1997;29:98. [Google Scholar]
  10. Katz N, Chaves A, Pellegrino J. A simple device of quantitative stool thick‐smear technique in schistosomiasis mansoni. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 1972;14:397–400. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. De Carli GA, editor. Diagnóstico Laboratorial das Parasitoses Humanas. Métodos e Técnicas. Rio de Janeiro: MEDSI Editora Médica e Científica Ltda; 1994. 315 p. [Google Scholar]
  12. De Mut JE, editor. Basic statistics and pharmaceutical statistical applications. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.; 1999. p. 365–373. [Google Scholar]
  13. Rothman KJ, Boice JD, editors. Epidemiologic analysis. Programmable calculator. Boston: Epidemiology Resources Inc.; 1982. p. 24–32. [Google Scholar]
  14. Maclure M, Willet WCA. isinterpretation and misuse of kappa statistic. Am J Epidemiol 1987;126:161–169. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Fleiss JL, editor. Statistical methods in rates and proportions. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1981. p. 217–225. [Google Scholar]
  16. Feinstein AR, editor. linical epidemiology. The architecture of clinical research. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.; 1985. p. 185–186. [Google Scholar]
  17. Hanson KL, Cartwright CP. Use of an enzyme immunoassay does not eliminate the need to analyze multiple stool specimens for the sensitive detection of Giardia lamblia . J Clin Microbiol 2001;39:474–477. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Kanamura HY, Hoshino‐Shimizu S, Silva LC. Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and schistosomulum antigens in serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis. Bull Pan Am Health Organ 1992;26:220–228. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Hoshino‐Shimizu S, Vaz‐de‐Lima LRA, Oliveira MI, Pereira CA, Moura A, Mendonça RZ. Measles serodiagnosis: production and evaluation of the IgM‐Measles ELISA IAL reagent. Braz J Microbiol 2001;32:70–75. [Google Scholar]
  20. Nagasse‐Sugahara TK, Hoshino‐Shimizu S, Pagliarini RC, Celeste BJ. Improvement of the slide hemagglutination test for rapid Chagas' disease screening in epidemiological surveys. Braz J Med Biol Res 1996;29:623–628. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Tavares‐Neto J, Forleo Neto E, Prata A. Distribuição de ovos de Schistosoma mansoni no bolo fecal. Rev Baiana Saúde Púb 1993;220:7–12. [Google Scholar]
  22. Gioia I. The prevalence of intestinal parasitoses among the users of the Health Center. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 1992;25:177–182. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Machado RC, Marcari EL, Cristante SFV, Cenareto CMA. Giardíases e helmintíases em crianças de creches e escolas de 1. e 2. grau (públicas e privadas) da cidade de Mirassol (São Paulo, Brasil). Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 1999;32:697–704. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis are provided here courtesy of Wiley

RESOURCES