Application of a ‘Standardized factor‘ to egg counting techniques for better prediction of worm burdens

Abstract

The reliability of Stoll's dilution egg count technique, Beaver's direct smear technique and Katz's modified thick smear technique were evaluated on patients with ascariasis. Studies revealed that the modified thick smear technique appears to be more reliable and accurate. The use of these three techniques revealed a significant correlation between the number of eggs per gram (e.p.g.) and worm load. Following the introduction of a standardized factor in a study of 30 patients with worm infections, a highly significant correlation was obtained between the e.p.g. and the worm load for all three techniques. The use of a Standardized Factor is recommended for better prediction of the worm burden. The results of this study reveal that a female Ascaris lumbricoides lays an average of 218,094 (range 82.251-365,200) eggs daily. The ratio of male to female A. lumbricoides was 1 : 1.4.