Egg Detection Rate Research Articles

Spatiotemporal distribution of perfluoroalkyl acid in Chinese eggs

ABSTRACT To study the contamination levels of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in Chinese eggs and the effects of persistent organic pollutant (POP) amendments to the Stockholm Convention blacklist, 3200 eggs from 10 major producing areas were collected from June 2013 to May 2017. Seventeen PFAAs in eggs were analysed. Perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the main PFAAs in eggs. Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and short-chain PFAAs levels in eggs decreased after the amendment was implemented in China (p < .05), but no significant difference was observed in PFOS. The average ΣPFAAs of eggs from 10 major producing areas was 0.23 ng/g (<LOD–5.4 ng/g), with samples from Hunan, Hubei and Henan being above this threshold, indicates the need for more stringent evaluation and regulation on pollutant management practices. The detection rate of eggs with PFOS risk was very low and no consumption-related health risk was identified.

Sensitivity comparison between Mini-FLOTAC and conventional techniques for the detection of Echinococcus multilocularis eggs

Canines serve as the definitive host of Echinococcus multilocularis. This study evaluated the sensitivity of the Mini-FLOTAC technique (MF) for the detection of E. multilocularis eggs in definitive hosts. First, we investigated the effects of heat inactivation and preservative conditions on the detection rate of eggs obtained from experimentally infected dogs. The sensitivity of MF was compared with that of eight other techniques: the centrifugal flotation with sucrose or zinc sulfate, MGL, AMS III, and a combination of MF and flotation/sedimentation techniques. Finally, we compared the sensitivity of MF and the centrifugal flotation with sucrose for the feces of E. multilocularis-infected foxes. The detection rate reached a plateau level with a specific gravity (s.g.) 1.22 for fresh eggs, but the highest rates were obtained with s.g. greater than 1.32 for heat-inactivated eggs. There was no significant difference in the detection rate among the preservative conditions. MF showed significantly higher EPG than the other techniques. Moreover, it showed higher diagnostic sensitivity for the fox feces than the centrifugal flotation technique. These results suggest that heat inactivation may alter s.g. of E. multilocularis eggs and that MF with zinc sulfate (s.g. = 1.32) would be effective for detecting heat-inactivated E. multilocularis eggs.

Prevalence, Serotype, Antibiotic Susceptibility, and Genotype of Salmonella in Eggs From Poultry Farms and Marketplaces in Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China.

Poultry products such as eggs provide essential nutrients to the human body and thus play vital roles in the human food network. Salmonella is one of the most notorious foodborne pathogens and has been found to be prevalent in eggs. To better understand the characteristics of Salmonella in eggs, we investigated the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in 814 fresh eggs collected from poultry farms and retail marketplaces in Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China. The serotype, genotype, and antibiotic susceptibilities of 61 Salmonella isolates recovered from the eggs were analyzed. The average detection rate of Salmonella-positive eggs was 5.6%, with 6.6% of the eggs collected from poultry farms and 5.1% from marketplaces. Thirteen serotypes were identified from the 61 isolates, among which Salmonella Typhimurium (24.5%) and Salmonella Indiana (22.9%) were the most prevalent serotypes. Other dominant serotypes included Salmonella Thompson (13.1%) and Salmonella Enteritidis (11.4%), with the remaining nine serotypes detected at low rates (1.6–4.9%). All the Salmonella isolates tested were resistant to sulfisoxazole (100.0%). The majority (77.1%) of the isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and ampicillin, while nearly two-thirds (63.9–68.9%) were resistant to trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, kanamycin, tetracyclines, and chloramphenicol. The rate of resistance to ciprofloxacin was 40.1%; the resistance rates to streptomycin, ceftiofur, and ceftriaxone ranged from 21.3 to 26.2%; and those to gentamicin, amikacin, and cefoxitin were relatively low (3.3–16.4%). Forty-nine (80.3%) Salmonella isolates exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics, 20 (32.8%) of which were resistant to at least 10 antibiotics. Subtyping by pulse-field gel electrophoresis revealed a close genetic relatedness of Salmonella isolates from poultry farms, in striking contrast to the high diversity of the isolates obtained from marketplaces. Isolates of the same serotype always shared identical genotype and antibiotic resistance profiles, even the ones that were recovered from eggs sampled at different locations and times. These findings indicate that diverse Salmonella spp. with high rates of multidrug resistance are prevalent in fresh eggs in the study area. More attention should be paid to egg production, transportation, and storage to prevent foodborne outbreaks caused by Salmonella.

Assessment of ability of professionals in parasitic disease control and prevention techniques in China, 2017

To understand the professional theory, prevention and control practice, experimental diagnosis and other technical skills of parasitic diseases among technicians of all levels of disease control and prevention institutions, so as to provide the evidence for strengthening the capacity building of Chinese professional personnel. According to the method of recommendation at all levels, the subjects from disease control and prevention institutions at province, prefecture or county levels were chosen to assess the theory of parasitic diseases and test operation skills by using the method of answering the questions together with on-site operations in China. A database was built consisting of subjects' basic information and assessment scores. By using the method of hierarchical classification, the scores by gender, age, professional title, institutions and places of participants were analyzed. A total of 124 professions in prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases in 31 provinces (cities and regions) were evaluated in China. The average total score of all the subjects was 125.0 ± 35.2, with a passing rate of 54.8%. The average scores of male subjects and female subjects were 120.8 ± 34.2 and 126.6 ± 35.4 respectively; the average scores of the subjects aged under 30 years, between 30 and 40 years, and above 40 years were 125.6 ± 33.6, 124.9 ± 35.8, and 119.3 ± 45.9 respectively; the average scores of persons with junior, intermediate and senior professional titles were 119.8 ± 35.8, 136.0 ± 32.5 and 127.1 ± 40.9 respectively. The average theoretical assessment score of all the subjects was 67.4 ± 15.6, with a passing rate of 68.5%. The average practical skill assessment score of all the subjects was 57.6 ± 21.8, with a passing rate of 46.0%. The average detection rates of Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae in endemic and non-endemic areas were 64.1%, 72.8%, 57.0%, 58.3% and 35.9%, 46.9%, 33.3%, 43.8%, respectively. The detection ability of professionals in endemic areas was significantly higher than that in non-endemic areas (χ2 = 767.10, 462.12, 134.97 and 360.80, respectively, all P < 0.01). The total detection rate of schistosome eggs was 48.7%, and the detection rates of schistosome eggs were 67.4% and 36.8% in endemic and non-endemic areas, respectively. The detection ability of professionals in endemic areas was significantly higher than that in non-endemic areas (χ2 = 817.74, P < 0.01). The detection rates of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Enterobius vermicularis were 85.7%, 78.6%, 91.7%, and 61.8%, 23.5% and 74.4% in the technicians in southern region and northern region of China, showing significant differences (χ2 = 622.58, 301.70 and 588.71, respectively, all P < 0.01). The overall results of the subjects are good, but the technical operation capability of them is relatively low. Therefore, the specific training based on daily work needs should be enhanced. In addition, we should attach importance to talent cultivation and technical reserve, and strengthen the construction of the team, so as to meet the needs of the prevention and control of parasitic diseases.

Analysis of effect of prevention and control technique training of human important parasitic diseases in Jiangsu Province in 2017

To evaluate the effect of the prevention and control technique training of human important parasitic diseases for basic professional and technical personnel in Jiangsu Province in 2017. A workshop including theory courses and practical operations was carried out for the basic professional and technical personnel. At the end of the workshop, the effects were evaluated through the theoretical and microscopic examinations. There were 132 trainees from 13 cities, and all of them took part in the final examinations. The average score of total was 118.36. There were significant differences among different regions ( χ2 = 13.38, P < 0.01). The pass rate of the theory test was 92.4% with the average score of 79.05. There were significant differences of theory scores among different regions ( χ2 =14.51, P < 0.01). The theory score of Northern Jiangsu Province was significantly higher than the scores of Southern and Central Jiangsu Province (P < 0.001, P = 0.009). The pass rate of microscopic examinations was 89.4% with the average score of 39.32. There was no significant difference of micro-scopic examination scores among different regions (F = 2.37, P = 0.09). Among the total 7 species, the detection rate of Paragonimus westermani was the highest (75％) and the rates of Schistosoma japonicum and Fasciolopsis buski were only 51.5％ and 54.5% respectively. The detection rates of eggs of Trichuris trichiura, unfertilized Ascaris lumbricoides, Clonorchis sinensis and Taenia solium were 71.2%, 65.9%, 72.7% and 72.0% respectively. The training course has promoted the capability of prevention and control of parasitic diseases for basic technical personnel. Also it provides the technical supports for parasitic disease monitoring, control and risk assessment in the next step.

Urgent needs in fostering neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) laboratory capacity in WHO Western Pacific Region: results from the external quality assessment on NTDs diagnosis in 2012\u20132015

BackgroundNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a heterogeneous group of mainly chronic, debilitating and often stigmatizing diseases that largely affects low-income and politically marginalized populations, causing a large burden of public health, social and economies in the NTDs endemic countries. NTDs are caused by infections with a range of pathogen, including bacteria, parasites, protozoa and viruses. The accurate diagnosis of NTDs is important for reducing morbidity, preventing mortality and for monitoring of control programs. External Quality Assessment (EQA), a component of laboratory quality assurance, aims to assess the performance of participating laboratories in detecting parasitic infections. The aim of this paper is to report the findings and put forward the recommendations on capacity build from the EQA results of participating NTDs laboratories in selected countries in the WHO Western Pacific Region from 2012 to 2015.MethodsReference or public health laboratories at national level working on NTDs in 6 countries participated in EQAs organized by the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (NIPD) of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) based in Shanghai, China. Two representatives of each participating laboratory were invited to NIPD to detect NTDs’ parasitic infections using the same prepared samples for serological tests (IHA and ELISA) and helminth eggs’ morphological tests (Direct smear and Kato-Katz). All of the results were scored and analyzed by using SPSS statistics 19.0 software.ResultsThe percentage of participants who had EQA score ≥ 60 during 2012–2015 for direct smear test were 80.00% (2012), 71.43% (2013), 100% (2014) and 75.00% (2015), whereas for Kato-Katz test were 80.00% (2012), 57.14% (2013), 100% (2014) and 37.50% (2015), respectively. The detection rate of helminth eggs varied in different species, with Ascaris lumbricoides being the highest at 94.07% in average. All laboratories did very well with ELISA tests as shown by the high scores in all four years except Lab A in the first and last EQA. For the positive or negative judgments of serum samples, the total coincidence rates of ELISA between 2012 and 2015 were 90.00%, 99.29%, 94.29% and 98.75%, respectively. While the total coincidence rates of IHA were respectively 100%, 95.00%, 90.00% and 97.50%. However, detecting low levels of serum antibody remained problematic for IHA when the titres of samples were taken into consideration.ConclusionThis study demonstrate that EQA scheme have been beneficial to the participating laboratories. The EQA programme identifies certain deficiencies which were needed to overcome and improved the laboratories’ performance in helminthiasis diagnosis. However, further optimization of accuracy and uniformity in NTDs diagnosis remains a big challenge.

A comparative study of mud‐like and coralliform calcium carbonate gallbladder stones

To gain insight to underlying mechanism of the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) gallbladder stones, we did comparative study of stones with mud appearance and those with coralliform appearance. A total of 93 gallbladder stones with mud appearance and 50 stones with coralliform appearance were analyzed. The appearance, color, texture, and the detection of Clonorchis sinensis eggs by microscopic examination were compared between the two groups. Then, the material compositions of stones were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and the spectrogram characteristics were compared. Moreover, microstructure characteristics of the two kinds of stones were observed and compared with Scanning Electron Microscopy. Mud-like gallbladder stones were mainly earthy yellow or brown with brittle or soft texture, while coralliform stones were mainly black with extremely hard texture, the differences between the two groups was significant (p < .05). The analytic results of FTIR spectroscopy showed that 95.7% (89/93) of the mud-like gallbladder stones were CaCO3 stones, and mainly aragonite; while all of the coralliform stones were CaCO3 stones, and mainly calcite (p < .05). Meanwhile, microscopic examination indicated that the detection rate of Clonorchis sinensis eggs in mud-like CaCO3 stones was lower than that in coralliform CaCO3 stones (p < .05), and that in aragonite CaCO3 stones was lower than that in calcite CaCO3 stones(p < .05). Mud-like CaCO3 stones mainly happened to patients with cystic duct obstruction. Clonorchis sinensis infection was mainly associated with coralliform (calcite) CaCO3 stones. Cystic duct obstruction was mainly associated with mud-like (aragonite) CaCO3 stones.

Effect of a one-off educational session about enterobiasis on knowledge, preventative practices, and infection rates among schoolchildren in South Korea.

Although health education has proven to be cost-effective in slowing the spread of enterobiasis, assessments of the effectiveness of health education to reduce infectious diseases specifically in children are rare. To evaluate the effect of health education on knowledge, preventative practices, and the prevalence of enterobiasis, 319 children from 16 classes were divided into experimental and control groups. Data were collected from May 2012 to March 2013. A 40-minute in-class talk was given once in the experimental group. There were significant differences over the time in the mean scores for children's knowledge of Enterobius vermicularis infection in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.001). After the educational session, the score for knowledge about E. vermicularis infection increased from 60.2±2.32 to 92.7±1.19 in the experimental group; this gain was partially lost 3 months later, decreasing to 83.6±1.77 (p<0.001). Children's enterobiasis infection prevention practice scores also increased, from 3.23±0.27 to 3.73±0.25, 1 week after the educational session, a gain that was partially lost at 3 months, decreasing to 3.46±0.36 (p<0.001). The overall E. vermicularis egg detection rate was 4.4%; the rates for each school ranged from 0% to 12.9% at screening. The infection rate at 3 months after the treatment sharply decreased from 12.3% to 0.8% in the experimental group, compared to a decrease from 8.5% to 3.7% in the control group during the same period. We recommend that health education on enterobiasis be provided to children to increase their knowledge about enterobiasis and improve prevention practices.

Microscopic Examination of Gallbladder Stones Improves Rate of Detection of Clonorchis sinensis Infection

To improve the rate of detection of Clonorchis sinensis infection, we compared different specimens from patients with cholecystolithiasis. Feces, gallbladder bile, and gallbladder stones collected from 179 consecutive patients with cholecystolithiasis underwent microscopic examination, and according to the results, 30 egg-positive and 30 egg-negative fecal, gallbladder bile, and gallbladder stone specimens, respectively, underwent real-time fluorescent PCR. The detection rates of eggs in feces, bile, and gallbladder stones were 30.7%, 44.7%, and 69.8%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). The PCR results confirmed that the eggs in the specimens were C. sinensis eggs. Eggs in the feces were "fresh" and in the gallbladder stones were "old." Microscopic examination of gallbladder stones may improve the detection rates of C. sinensis infection, which is important for developing individualized treatments to prevent the recurrence of gallbladder stones and to prevent the occurrence of severe liver damage and cholangiocarcinoma.

PARAGONIMUS HETEROTREMUS INFECTION IN NAGALAND: A NEW FOCUS OF PARAGONIMIASIS IN INDIA

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of paragonimiasis among the patients who were attending the tuberculosis (TB) clinics at the Community Health Centre, Pfutsero, Phek District, Nagaland. To determine the species of Paragonimus that cause infection in humans and the crustacean host that acts as the infectious source for humans. Materials and Methods: Sputum specimens were examined microscopically for Paragonimus eggs and acid fast bacilli. Blood samples were tested by microenzyme-linked immunosorbant assay for Paragonimus-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies. Crab extracts prepared by digestion with artificial gastric juice were examined for Paragonimus metacercariae under a stereoscopic microscope. The species identification of the parasite was based on morphological and molecular characterizations of eggs and metacercariae employing polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Results: Seven out of the 14 patients tested seropositive for paragonimiasis and Paragonimus eggs were detected in sputum of two out of the seven seropositive patients, indicating a prevalence of 50% and an egg detection rate of 14%, respectively. The prevalence was highest in the 10-30 year age group. More males got the infection than females, the ratio being 5:2. P. heterotremus was identified as the causative agent of human paragonimiasis and Potamiscus manipurensis as the crab host. Conclusions: The study revealed that paragonimiasis has been endemic in Pfutsero, Nagaland, and half of the patients attending the TB clinic were actually suffering from pulmonary paragonimiasis. This is the first confirmed report of an endemic focus of paragonimasis and description of P. heterotremus as the causative agent in Nagaland, India.

Enterobius vermicularis egg positive rate of pre-school children in Chunchon, Korea (1999).

Pre-school children were examined for the presence of Enterobius vermicularis egg by perianal swab method. We visited 67 nurseries and 25 kindergartens between January, 1999 and April, 1999 in Chunchon, Korea. Of the 4,711 children examined, 434 (9.2%) were found to be positive for E. vermicularis egg. The egg positive rates of boys and girls were 10.1% and 8.1%, respectively. The rates were 7.8% in kindergartens and 9.7% in nurseries. Positive rate of 50 institutions was less than 10%. Rate in 35 institutions was from 10% to less than 20%. Rate in 7 institutions was equal to or over 20%. Out of 1,113 children examined twice, 28 (2.5%) children were positive consecutively, 53 (4.8%) were positive with negative conversion, 47 (4.2%) were negative with positive conversion, and 985 (88.5%) were consecutively negative. It means that in the low endemic area of enterobiasis with around 10% positive rate, the two consecutive examinations may increase the egg detection rate of 4.2-4.8%. The small number of consecutive egg positive children also suggests that the worm burden of the positive children might be low. Since the egg positive rate of that age group in this City increased from 1.85% (1997), and 3.0% (1998), the more intensive regular control should be executed.

Egg detection rates of Enterobius vermicularis in children

The cello-tape anal swab specimens from 936 primary school children in Seoul, 308 primary school children in a rural area and 92 children in Nanjido, were examined for Enterobius vermicularis eggs. Out of 936 specimens from a primary school in Seoul, E. vermicularis eggs were detected in 114 specimens, the egg detection rate being 12.2 percent. In 308 specimens from a primary school in a rural area, 77 (25.0 percent) were positive for E. vermicularis eggs. Among 92 specimens from Nanjido children in Seoul, egg positive rate of E. vermicularis was 28.3 percent. The egg detection rate of primary school children in Seoul was significantly lower than that of primary school children in a rural area and of Nanjido children. The egg detection rate in boys was lower than that of girls. As the age of children increased, the egg detection rate decreased.

The egg detection rates of Enterobius vermicularis among school children in the various regions

A total of 860 cellotape anal swab specimens from 326 school children of urban area, 243 of rura1 farm village and 291 of rural fishing village was submitted for Enterobius vermicularis egg detection from September through November 1985. Each specimen was collected in the morning. Among the total 860 children's submitting specimens, 316 (36.7 per cent) were positive for E. vermicularis eggs. Of the 326 children in the urban area, E. vermicularis eggs were detected in the 45 (13.8 per cent). This detection rate was lower significantly as compared with 143 (55.6 per cent) of 243 children in the farm village or 136 (46.7 per cent) of 291 children in the fishing village. The egg detection rate in the male children was lower remarkably than that in the female children.

Fluctuation Of The Egg Production Amounts According To Worm Burden And Length Of Ascaris Lumbricoides

This study was undertaken to observe the fluctuation pattern of E.P.G. (eggs per gram of feces) according to the number of infected worms and developmental status of Ascaris lumbricoides. The cases were selected from 2,109 inhabitants of Hwasung Gun, Kyunggi Do, Korea, who had received pyrantel treatment in dose of 10 mg/kg during April 1977-May 1980 and who were cooperative enough to collect whole-day stool specimens for 2 days. Among them, 602 cases who had been infected with 1-5 worms were subjected to analysis. Egg examination was undertaken by means of cellophane thick smear technique and the amount of produced eggs was checked by Stoll's egg counting technique. The Ascaris worms were collected from stool specimens, counted in number in each case, and each worm was measured by length. The results could be summarized as follows: 1. According to the increase of worm burden per case from l to 5, the egg detection rate increased from 33.4 % to 95.7 %. And the same pattern was observed when the only burden was considered. 2. There were ample variations in the individual E.P.G. counts even among the cases with same burden, although the mean E.P.G. counts among the cases were quite proportionately increased from 842 to 3,467 according to the number of female worms, 1-4. 3. However, from the distribution pattern of the number of each grade of E.P.G. count, it was revealed that the lower the number of females the more cases were with low grade of E.P.G. 4. It was observed that the eggs could be detected after the female worm grew longer than 12.6 cm and the amount of eggs increased until the worm became about 25.0 cm, where a plateau was made in E.P.G. 1,300~1,400, and decreased significantly after 27.5 cm. And yet, wide variations in E.P.G. counts were noted even among the worms of similar growth. Accordingly, the E.P.G. value had better be used as a useful index to estimate the intensity of Ascaris infection and to compare the intensity between two communities, rather than be used to estimate the individual worm burden.

STUDIES ON SCHISTOSOMIASIS JAPONICA WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO RECTAL BIOPSY

For the clinical evaluation of rectal biopsy, 217 patients with a variety of complaints, who were treated in the Koma-Kyoritsu Hospital during 1967 to 1973, were tested by rectal biopsy, the threshold value of skin test, the COP test and feces examination under the suspicion of chronic schistosomiasis japonica.1) The detection rate of fresh eggs by rectal biopsy was markedly higher in the younger age-group below 30 years. This rate became also significantly higher in parallel with the increase of egg-number in the rectal specimen.2) The incidence of hemorrhoids was significantly higher in the group with old eggs only than that containing fresh eggs.3) After the treatment with Niridazole, the eggs detected by rectal biopsy decreased in number and they were degenerated or destroyed as compared with the pretreatment status.4) Histological examination of the stained specimen obtained by rectal biopsy showed such reaction as eosinophilia of slight degree or edema around the fresh eggs, suggesting an antigenicity of the fresh eggs. However, it was of less importance from the diagnostic point of view, comparing with the press examination of the raw material, because of difficulty to discover the egg and to observe it au naturel.5) In accordance with the increase of the threshold diluting grade of positive skin test, the number of the egg became larger, moreover, the incidence of fresh eggs became higher by rectal biopsy, that is, the number and quality of the egg had a correlation with the threshold value of skin test.6) Even in the egg-negative cases in feces, the possibility of finding the egg was 56% by rectal biopsy. The incidence of the case containing fresh eggs in the biopsy was significantly higher in the egg-positive cases than the egg-negative ones in feces.7) The incidence of relatively fresh eggs in rectal biopsy was significantly higher in the COP-positive group in comparison with the COP-negative group.8) Though the technic was rather difficult, more eggs were found statistically in the posterior wall of the rectum than in the anterior. However, even though in small number, the probability of finding the egg was larger from the anterior wall than the posterior in woman. Thus, rectal biopsy was of great value in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease in Japan.

STUDIES ON SCHISTOSOMIASIS JAPONICA WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO RECTAL BIOPSY

For the clinical evaluation of rectal biopsy, 217 patients with a variety of complaints, who were treated in the Koma-Kyoritsu Hospital during 1967 to 1973, were tested by rectal biopsy, the threshold value of skin test, the COP test and feces examination under the suspicion of chronic schistosomiasis japonica.1) The detection rate of fresh eggs by rectal biopsy was markedly higher in the younger age-group below 30 years. This rate became also significantly higher in parallel with the increase of egg-number in the rectal specimen.2) The incidence of hemorrhoids was significantly higher in the group with old eggs only than that containing fresh eggs.3) After the treatment with Niridazole, the eggs detected by rectal biopsy decreased in number and they were degenerated or destroyed as compared with the pretreatment status.4) Histological examination of the stained specimen obtained by rectal biopsy showed such reaction as eosinophilia of slight degree or edema around the fresh eggs, suggesting an antigenicity of the fresh eggs. However, it was of less importance from the diagnostic point of view, comparing with the press examination of the raw material, because of difficulty to discover the egg and to observe it au naturel.5) In accordance with the increase of the threshold diluting grade of positive skin test, the number of the egg became larger, moreover, the incidence of fresh eggs became higher by rectal biopsy, that is, the number and quality of the egg had a correlation with the threshold value of skin test.6) Even in the egg-negative cases in feces, the possibility of finding the egg was 56% by rectal biopsy. The incidence of the case containing fresh eggs in the biopsy was significantly higher in the egg-positive cases than the egg-negative ones in feces.7) The incidence of relatively fresh eggs in rectal biopsy was significantly higher in the COP-positive group in comparison with the COP-negative group.8) Though the technic was rather difficult, more eggs were found statistically in the posterior wall of the rectum than in the anterior. However, even though in small number, the probability of finding the egg was larger from the anterior wall than the posterior in woman. Thus, rectal biopsy was of great value in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease in Japan.

Values of intradermal test and multiple sputum examinations for Diagnosis of paragonimiasis

This study was conducted on 4,003 inhabitants of six villages, Southern County of Che Ju lsland from April 18 to July 30, 1974 with purpose of studying. Relationship between intradermal reaction and egg detection rate, Egg detection rate by the number of sputum examination on the same subject, Comparison of direct sputum examination method (Whole volume of sputum in vinyl bag pressed between petri dishes) with concentration (2% NaOH) method, Estimation of sensitivity and specificity of the intradermal test in screening paragonimiasis. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Overall positive skin reaction rate was 57.7 % and egg positive rate regardless of skin reaction was 17.1 % the population studied. 2. Egg positive rate for negative skin reactors(wheal size smaller than 70mm(2)) was l0.l %, and that of positive reactors was 22.8 %. 3. Positive skin reaction rate increased as age increased, egg positive rate, however, revealed rather inconsistent distribution by age. 4. The egg positive rate showed a tendency of increase by increase of wheal size, though not so remarkably. 5. 2.9 % of egg positives by direct sputum examination method was negative when re-examined by concentration method; 2.6 % of egg negative sputum by direct method was egg positive by concentration method. It was found that the sputa showing discrepant result by two different methods had only a few eggs in whole sputum collected. 6. Egg positive rate by single sputum examination was 8.l %, by two examinations 14.6 % by three 19.2 %, by four 24.5 %, and by five examinations on the same individual was 20.5 %. 7. The estimated sensitivity and specificity of the skin test were 76.5 % and 42.7 % respectively under the postulation that all infected persons could be detected by four sputum examinations.

A Comparison Of The Efficiency Of The Three Egg Count Techniques

Usually egg count technique has been employed to know the intensity of infestation of human intestinal helminths and to elucidate the effects of anthelmintics. Comparing the three egg count methods-Stoll's egg dilution method, Beaver's direct smear method and FHK counting board method-the authors reached the following results: 1) As the result of application of the three methods to 75 Ascaris egg positives and 95 Trichocephalus egg positives, in the case of Ascaris eggs, the egg detection rate was 99 per cent by Stoll's method, 97 per cent by Beaver's method and was lowest by FHK method at 79 %. Meanwhile, in Trichocephalus eggs, Stoll's method revealed 92 %, Beaver's method 95 %, and FHK method 95 %, there being no noticeable differences. 2) With regard to EPG, in counting Ascaris eggs, Stoll's method showed a value closest to the actual number of eggs, and the value revealed by FHK method was smaller than the actual number. 3) As the result of comparing the coefficiencies of variation of the three egg counting methods, both in Ascaris eggs and Trichocephalus eggs, the FHK method showed the smallest, followed by Stoll's method and Beaver's method.

A Comparison Of Sensitivity On Stool And Sputum Examination For Diagnosis Of Paragonimasis.

Detecting eggs from feces and/or sputum is probably closely associated with many factors such as degree or intensity of infection, physiological status of the host(age, eating habit and duration of residence in the area), the duration of infection for the parasite (age and reproductive activity of flukes), and methods of collecting specimens and technique of examination. Neverthless, it is difficult to determine which factor plays the most inportant role in detecting eggs except comparison of factual result obtained by standardized techniques. The purpose of the study was to find out which method would give better result for detection of eggs, and to estimate what proportion of patients would be missed when the method selected is used. On a single examination of both specimens, stool and sputum, collected from the same person, sputum examination was found to be superior to stool examination for detection of eggs; 37 of 40 egg positives had eggs in sputum whereas only 21 of 40 in stool. Repeated sputum examination on the same subject in spaced time gave higher overall egg detection rate; in the first examination for all skin reaction positives, the detection rate was 36.8%, in the second examination on those who had negative results in the first examination, it was 11.6% among 602 persons examined, and 5.3 percent of 95 persons who were negative in previous two examinations. Thus, repeated sputum examinations (three times) increased the overall detection rate to 48.5% from 36.8%. According to the result obtained through this study, it would be worthwhile to recommend repeated sputum examinations at least three times on the same subject even if collecting second and third sputum is quite difficult problem in mass survey; about 12% of total patients who can be detected as positive by three times repeated examinations shall be missed if only a single sputum examination is done.

An Evaluation Of Intraderaml Tests For The Screening Of Paragonimiasis By Comparing Antigens Variously Processed.

An evaluation of intradermal test in screening paragonimiasis was attempted by comparing antigens, filtered through Sephadex G 50, fractionated by DEAE Sephadex A 25, and V.B.S.(crude extract of adult worms) antigen on 402 school children. The sensitivity and false negative rates were compared with one another on results of two examinations for eggs, one with sputum and the other with stool. The purified antigens showed more intense skin reaction than the crude extract. The crude extrct(V.B.S.) appeared to have lower false negative rate than the purified even though the difference was not statistically significant. Intradermal test with V.B.S. antigen on 12,000 subjects was analysed to find some characteristics of the reaction. Three size groups were classified by egg detection rate; negative reaction, 20~50 mm(2) size group of which egg detection rate was 3.5% among 118 persons, intermediate, 60~100 mm(2) with 26.8% among 1,078, and positive reaction, larger than 100 mm(2) with 45.7% among 2,098 subjects. The distribution of wheal size by age for total population surveyed revealed that younger ages had smaller wheal sizes with larger proportion of negative reaction, which decreased when the age increased. Skin sensitization in a population seemed to occur gradually to and reached a maximum by the age of 13 year. The egg detection rate increased proportionately to wheal size for the intermediate group, however, it did not vary much by size for positive group(larger than 100 mm(2)). When the wheal size distributions were compared in three groups, egg positives, egg negatives, and the group whose sputa were not examined, curves of the two groups, egg positive and negative, did not show clear separation. This fact seems to indicate that there is a low sensitivity and specificity in both tests(sputum and skin). The stability of the intradermal test measured by a second survey done one year after the primary survey revealed that the intermediate size group had more marked unstability than the other groups, and the treated group had tendency to decrease in wheal size. The purification of antigen for intradermal test did not add any better means of screening for paragonimiasis, probably due to the nature of skin sensitization evoked by many elements of the parasite but not by a few selected components. The V.B.S. antigen may be valuable for screening a large population, yet the diagnosis can not be dependent entirely upon the test. The final diagnosis should be made by repeated sputum examinations in spaced time with careful history taking aided by CF test and X-ray examination if necessary.