The Sensitivity and Specificity Comparison Between Stool Wet Mount and Kato-katz Techniques for the Detection of Intestinal Helminthes

Abstract

BackgroundIn this prevalence study, the efficiency and sensitivity of stool wet mount and Kato-Katz smear techniques for the diagnosis of intestinal helminthes were compared to detect human intestinal helminths.ObjectiveTo assess the sensitivity and specificity between stool wet mount and Kato-Katz TechniquesMethodologyA total of 200 stool specimens were collected from school children aged 6 to 16 from four primary schools randomly selected in Badessa woreda, west Hararghe zone, eastern Ethiopia. Each specimen was smeared on one slide for every technique with normal saline for wet mount and a cellophane cover for Kato-Katz technique. The overall prevalence of the parasites in each school of the woreda was determined.ResultThe overall sensitivity of both techniques was calculated. Finally, the evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of both techniques was interpreted as Kato-Katz technique is more effective and sensitive than the stool wet mount technique.ConclusionTo detect intestinal helminths especially from carriers and non-symptomatic patients Kato-Katz technique is a selective and sensitive method.