Introduction
Microscopic examination of faeces is a standard laboratory method for diagnosing gastrointestinal parasite infections. In North America, the ova and parasite (O&P) examination is typically performed using stool that is chemically fixed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and formalin, after which the stool is concentrated by filtration to enhance sensitivity. Mini Parasep® tubes containing Alcorfix® allow for collection and concentration within a single collection vial. These tubes were evaluated analytically and clinically compared to the standard PVA/formalin collection and processing method which use a SpinCon® concentrator device. In addition, a work-flow analysis was performed showing significant time savings.