In vitro culture technique: a better diagnostic tool for Blastocystis hominis

Abstract

A total of 189 stool specimens obtained from HIV-infected inmates from a drug rehabilitation center in Selangor were examined for Blastocystis hominis using the direct faecal examination, formalin-ether concentration and the in vitro culture techniques. The in vitro culture technique using Jones medium was 4 times (29.6 % (56/189)) more sensitive in detecting the parasite than the direct-faecal examination (7.4 % (14/189)) and almost 2 times more sensitive than formalin-ether concentration technique (15.3% (29/189). The detection of Blastocystis using the in vitro culture method is very much easier, less tiresome and more time-saving. Furthermore this method can easily be performed in the field. The in vitro culture method has the added advantage of maintaining isolates obtained from the field for further biological, biochemical and molecular characterization.