Comparing concentration methods: parasitrap® versus Kato-Katz for studying the prevalence of Helminths in Bengo province, Angola.

Clara Mirante, Isabel Clemente, Graciette Zambu, Catarina Alexandre, Teresa Ganga, Carlos Mayer, Miguel Brito
1. CISA – Health Research Center of Angola – Caxito, Bengo
2. Bengo General Hospital, Caxito, Angola
3. Lisbon School of Health Technology, Portugal

Abstract
Background: Helminth intestinal parasitoses are responsible for high levels of child mortality and morbidity. Hence, the capacity to diagnose these parasitoses and consequently ensure due treatment represents a factor of great importance.

Objectives:The main objective of this study involves comparing two methods of concentration, parasitrap and Kato-Katz, for  the diagnosis of intestinal parasitoses in faecal samples.

Methods:Sample processing made recourse to two different concentration methods: the commercial parasitrap® method and  the Kato-Katz method.

Results:We correspondingly collected a total of 610 stool samples from pre-school and school age children. The results demonstrate the incidence of helminth parasites in 32.8% or 32.3% of the sample collected depending on whether the concentration  method applied was either the parasitrap method or the Kato-Katz method. We detected a relatively high percentage of samples  testing positive for two or more species of helminth parasites. We would highlight that in searching for larvae the Kato-Katz  method does not prove as appropriate as the parasitrap method.

Conclusion: Both techniques prove easily applicable even in field working conditions and returning mutually agreeing results. This study concludes in favour of the need for deworming programs and greater public awareness among the rural populations
of Angola.

Keywords: Concentration methods, parasitrap® versus Kato-Katz, helminths, Bengo province, Angola