Low Sensitivity of the Sedimentation Technique for Schistosoma japonicum Infections
Author Information
Author(s): Lier Tore, Simonsen Gunnar S., Wang Tianping, Lu Dabing, Haukland Hanne H., Vennervald Birgitte J., Johansen Maria V.
Primary Institution: University Hospital of North Norway
Hypothesis
Can the formol-ethyl acetate sedimentation concentration technique effectively diagnose low-intensity Schistosoma japonicum infections?
Conclusion
The sedimentation technique has low sensitivity for diagnosing low-intensity S. japonicum infections when only a single stool sample is examined.
Supporting Evidence
- The sedimentation technique had a sensitivity of only 28.6%.
- The specificity of the sedimentation technique was 97.4%.
- Only 10 out of 106 samples tested positive using the sedimentation technique.
Takeaway
This study found that a common test for detecting a parasite in stool samples doesn't work well for people with low levels of the parasite.
Methodology
The study evaluated the sedimentation technique using 106 stool samples from China, comparing it with traditional diagnostic methods.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on a single stool sample for diagnosis.
Limitations
The study used only a single stool sample, which may have affected the sensitivity of the sedimentation technique.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 56% males and 44% females aged 7–76 years, with a mean age of 39.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website