2.6.3. Stool Analysis (Direct Microscopy)

Direct wet mount involves microscopic examination of fresh fecal specimens by wet preparations with physiological saline (saline wet mount) or iodine solution (iodine wet mount). The procedure provides rapid diagnosis for intestinal parasites when they are present in sufficient density in the fecal sample. The stool specimen was mixed for homogeneity, and a little quantity collected from the sample bottle was mounted in normal saline, covered with a cover slide, and examined for parasites using the 10x objective lens of a microscope. Parasites seen were identified by adding iodine to the preparation and using the 40x objective lens to observe and identify.