Role of trichrome staining techniques in the diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections.

OBJECTIVE To compare the diagnostic yield of saline and iodine preparation with trichrome staining of fresh sample of stool for diagnosis of parasitic infection. METHOD Stools were examined in saline and iodine preparation and trichrome stained smears prepared according to the method recommended by WHO in oil immersion. RESULTS Out of 400 specimens 215 were positive for parasitic infection and of these 81 were diagnosed exclusively on trichrome stained samples. CONCLUSION Because of its better diagnostic field trichrome staining technique should be included in the routine stool examination.