Detection of intestinal parasites in human faecal samples using dissolved air flotation. Issue 12 (1st November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soares, Felipe Augusto; dos Santos, Bianca Martins; Rosa, Stefany Laryssa; Loiola, Saulo Hudson Nery; Stéfano, Vitória Castilho; Proença, Letícia Rodrigues; Suzuki, Celso Tetsuo Nagase; Sabadini, Edvaldo; Bresciani, Katia Denise Saraiva; Falcão, Alexandre Xavier; Gomes, Jancarlo Ferreira
• Is Part Of: Tropical medicine & international health. Volume 27:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 1044
• Page End: 1052
• Publication Date: 2022-11-01
• Subjects: diagnostic techniques and procedures -- flotation -- parasitic diseases -- parasitology; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 616.988
• DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13827
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-2276

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Ova and parasite (O&P) examination is recommended for the laboratory diagnosis of agents causing parasitic infections; however, this exam requires scientific and technological improvements to enhance its diagnostic validity. Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is an efficient technical principle separating suspended solids in a liquid medium. We aimed to develop and validate a new procedure for intestinal parasite detection with DAF. Methods: In this study, we collected samples from 500 volunteers, screened them by direct examination, and transferred the material to tubes using the Three Faecal Test (TF‐Test) for triplicate DAF tests. We evaluated physical–chemical parameters and DAF prototype components through quantifying parasites recovered from floated and non‐floated regions of the flotation column. The DAF operation protocol was validated with the gold standard results. Results: The 10% saturated volume proportion and cationic surfactant showed regularity and high parasite recovery (80%). Modifications of the needle device did not influence parasite recovery ( p > 0.05). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and kappa agreement obtained with the DAF protocol were 91%, 100%, 93% and substantial ( k = 0.64), respectively. Conclusion: The DAF principle could be used to process faecal samples in routine laboratory exams, enabling intestinal parasite detection.