Stool Analysis
Stool Analysis
Stool Analysis
Specimens for examination must be, fresh, that is, promptly collected and
uncontaminated. Formed stool which cannot examined immediately, can be
refrigerated at 3-5OC and stored in close closed containers to prevent
desiccation. Watery stools and those containing mucus or blood should be
examined promptly, as they may contain motile amoebae. Proper processing of
stool sample involves both macroscopic (visual) and precedes microscopic
examination.
MACROSCOPIC EXAMINATION
Faecal samples are best described by their colour, consistency and presence or
absence of macroscopic blood, mucus and exudates. Presence of worm or worm
segments should also be noted.
a. Colour: The colour can be described as Black (occult blood), brown, pale
yellow and white
b. Consistency: The consistency can be described as formed, soft formed
and unformed or liquid (watery).
The easiest and the simplest technique for the direct microscopic examination of
faces is wet mount. Wet can be prepared directly from the faecal material in
saline and iodine. Other useful wet mounts are buffered methylene blue and
eosin. The saline wet mount is mused for preliminary microscopic examination
of faeces to detect protozoan trophozoites and cysts; and helminth larvae and
eggs. A characteristic motility of a parasite can be used for its identification.
Excessive cellular exudate in the faeces in form of pus (white blood cells) or
blood (red blood cells), macrophages or any other significant material can be
detected in wet mount. In the iodine wet mount, most cysts can usually be
specifically identified because the iodine stains their nuclei and glycogen. If
present, however, the parasites are not motile in iodine.
PROCEDURE
Floatation technique
The floatation technique utilizes a liquid suspending medium heavier than the
parasite, so they rise to the surface and can be skimmed out of the surface film.
The method is recommended for the detection of eggs of hookworm. A
lumbricoides, H. nana and Teania spp. Eggs or cysts of parasites, when
suspended in a fluid of higher relative density, float to the surface.
Procedure
Place approximately 0.5g of stool sample in a wide-mouth bottle. Fill the
bottle 2.5ml mark with the brine
Using a clean applicator stick, crush the portion of stool and mix well
with the solution. Then fill the bottle to the top with the brine; suspension
should be completely uniform.
Place a coverslip over the mouth of the bottle. Ensure that the coverslip is
in contact with the liquid with no air bubbles.
Leave for 10 minutes
Remove the coverslip with care and place it on slide and examine at once
under the microscope using 10X and 40X objective lens.