Application of lactophenol cotton blue for identification and preservation of intestinal parasites in faecal wet mounts.

Wet mounting is the simplest and easiest technique for the examination of faeces. Routinely employed wet mounts in most of the laboratories include saline, iodine and buffered methylene blue. Lactophenol cotton blue [LCB] staining--mounting medium is commonly used for microscopic identification of fungi. LCB and its modifications were tested as staining mounting medium on parasite positive faecal samples [both fresh as well as formalin fixed] to stain and demonstrate morphology and to preserve parasitic elements [trophozoites, cysts, ova and larvae] in wet mounts. Protozoal cysts [Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia], helminthic OVA [Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Taenia solium and Hymenolepis nana] and larvae [Strongyloides stercoralis] were well-stained and preserved their morphology in nailpolish enamel sealed LCB-faecal mounts. Morphology was better appreciated in LCB-formalin fixed faecal mounts as compared to LCB fresh faecal mounts and was well preserved by the end of twelve weeks.