A comparison of direct microscopy with culture for the diagnosis of Blastocystis hominis.

100 random fecal samples sent to the clinical laboratory of the Aga Khan University Hospital were used. Microscopy was done by direct wet mount in which approximately 2 mg of feces (the amount that usually adheres to one end of the wooden applicator stick) was thoroughly emulsified on a glass slide in one dropofphysiologic salineandcovered with acoverslip. A similar preparation was made on another slide using Lugol's iodine.