Evaluation of alternate parasite transport systems for the BD MAX™ enteric parasite panel

• Published in: Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease Vol. 92; no. 3; pp. 204 - 205
• Main Authors: DeBurger, Barbara A., Hanna, Sarah, Mortensen, Joel E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2018
• Subjects: Diarrhea - diagnosis; Diarrhea - parasitology; Feces - parasitology; Humans; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - methods; Parasitic Diseases - diagnosis; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Sensitivity and Specificity; Specimen Handling - methods
• ISSN: 0732-8893; 1879-0070
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2018.06.003

Total-Fix, Cary-Blair, and Para-Pak SVT parasite transport systems were compared to 10% formalin with the BD MAX Enteric Parasite Panel, using clinical and contrived samples to determine comparability and limits of detection. The three transport systems have equal or superior limits of detection for all pathogens tested compared to 10% formalin. •BD MAX™ Enteric Parasite Panel is a molecular test designed to detect Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium species, and Entamoeba histolytica.•Specimen requirements are fresh stool or stool fixed in 10% formalin, a hazardous risk for laboratories.•Alternate stool transport systems were tested with BD MAX™ Enteric Parasite Panel for comparability to 10% formalin.•Three alternate transport systems tested (Cary-Blair, Total Fix™, and Meridian Bioscience SVT™) may offer some advantages in safety and limits of detection.