Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of the Mini Parasep SF kit in detecting intestinal parasites compared with two other methods, whilst also report on the prevalence and species of these parasites in gardeners of Soi Dao, Kaenghangmeao and Khao Khitchakut Districts, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. Methods: Simple direct smear technique, modified formalin-ether concentration and the Mini Parasep SF kit were used to determine intestinal parasitic infections. Results: A total of 226 fecal samples were used to compare the efficacy of the three methods. The simple direct smear technique showed the highest efficacy with a detection rate of 74.2%, followed by the modified formalin-ether concentration technique (M-FECT) (65.67%) and Mini Parasep SF kit (55.22%) with a statistical significance (P < 0.05). However, M-FECT showed three cases of Opisthorchis viverrini (O. viverrini) infections (100%), while Mini Parasep SF kit returned three cases of hookworm infection (100%). A total of 253 samples were submitted and reported prevalence. The mean intestinal parasitic infection in Chanthaburi Province was 29.6%. There was no significant difference in infections between genders and age groups (P > 0.05). The prevalence of protozoa was found to be 23.7%. The highest protozoa prevalence was Blastocystis hominis (9.1%). Three helminthic infections were Strongyloides stercolaris (6.3%), O. viverrini (1.2%) and hookworm egg (1.2%). Conclusions: In the area of protozoa prevalence, simple direct smear is recommended as it's easy to process, convenient, safe and also economical. Mini Parasep® SF has proved to be good for hookworm but not O. viverrini. M-FECT is still needed for diagnosis of O. viverrini infection.

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