Collection times
Specimen type, specimen stability, and need for preservation
Shipment of diagnostic specimens, biological products, etiologic agents, or infectious substances
3 Macroscopic and Microscopic Examination of Fecal Specimens
Microscopic examination (ova and parasite examination)
Concentration (sedimentation and flotation)
Modified Kinyoun’s acid-fast stain (cold method)
Modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast stain (hot method)
Carbol fuchsin negative stain for Cryptosporidium (from W. L. Current)
Rapid safranin method for Cryptosporidium
Rapid safranin method for Cyclospora, using a microwave oven
Auramine O stain for coccidia (from Thomas Hänscheid)
Modified trichrome stain for the microsporidia (Weber—green)
Modified trichrome stain for the microsporidia (Ryan—blue)
Modified trichrome stain for the microsporidia (Kokoskin—hot method)
Acid-fast trichrome stain for Cryptosporidium and the microsporidia
4 Additional Techniques for Stool Examination
Culture of larval-stage nematodes
Harada-Mori filter paper strip culture
Filter paper/slant culture technique (petri dish)
Agar plate culture for Strongyloides stercoralis
Estimation of worm burdens and Kato-Katz thick film
India ink injection procedure for tapeworm proglottids
Qualitative test for fecal fat
Quantitation of reducing substances (Clinitest)
5 Examination of Other Specimens from the Intestinal Tract and the Urogenital System
