VALUE OF MCMASTER, MINI-FLOTAC, AND STANDARD TECHNIQUES FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL HELMINTHS AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN IN MENOUFIA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Clinical and Molecular Parasitology, National Liver Institute (NLI), Menoufia University, Shebin El Kom, Menoufia, Egypt

Abstract

Intestinal helminthiasis affects schoolchildren causing diseases. In this study, five copromicroscopic
methods (3 traditional and 2 recent; Formaline-ether concentration method (FECM),
Kato-Katz, direct smear, McMaster and mini-FLOTAC with two flotation solutions NaCl &
ZnSO4 respectively) in addition to scotch adhesive tape method were used to detect helminthic
infection in children. Hemoglobin percent and anthropometric measurements were also assessed.
Out of 400 school children, 82 (20.5%) were infected; 75 single & 7 mixed infections.
Enterobius vermicularis was the commonest one (11%) followed by Hymenolepis nana
(9.75%) and the least one was Schistosoma mansoni (1.5%). The most sensitive method was
mini-FLOTAC ZnSO4 while the least one was direct smear, but without a significant difference.
Scotch adhesive tape method had the best efficacy for E. vermicularis diagnosis. No significant
difference was found for egg per gram (EPG) values of the counting techniques. H.
nana was associated with anemia and underweight. Rural residence, unwashed fruits, and vegetables,
unwashed hands before eating and after defecation were the risk factors. Sharing underwear
and water canal contact were specifically associated with E. vermicularis and S. mansoni
respectively. The better diagnostic performance were mini-FLOTAC and McMaster methods.

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