Resumen

RIBERO, Z. et al. Comparison of four laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis.. Rev. Soc. Ven. Microbiol. [online]. 2002, vol.22, n.1, pp.68-73. ISSN 1315-2556.

The Strongyloidiasis is a parasite infection which produces digestive or generalized symptoms tending to get complicated in some patients, particularly in those immunocompromised, therefore an early diagnosis of the infection is really important. Conventional diagnosis methods show low detection levels of this parasite, that is why to discriminate the more sensitive and specific technique to detect Strongyloides stercoralis in feces is the goal of this research study. Fecal samples from 56 both sex, ages between 1 and 47 years old individuals living in an endemic area for S. stercoralis located in Puerto Páez, parroquia Potreritos of the municipio La Cañada of the Zulia state, Venezuela, were analyzed. Each sample was directly tested using physiological saline solution and lugol, the ether-formol concentration method, Baermann technique and the agar plate culture from modified Arakaki, were also used. Results were statistically analyzed through version 2.02 Statistix program and the z test determined the difference of proportions. 18 (32%) of 56 individuals showed S. stercoralis according at least one of the techniques used. Comparing techniques, the agar plate method detected the higher percentage of cases: 16, followed by 11 cases through the ether-formol concentration method, then 9 cases through direct test and 7 cases through Baermann technique finally. No significant difference was found between the agar plate culture technique and the ether-formol concentration method, but it was found between these and the other techniques studied.

Palabras clave : Strongyloides stercoralis; diagnóstico de laboratorio; cultivo de agar en placa.