Ultra-low-cost urine filtration for Schistosoma haematobium diagnosis: a proof-of-concept study

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2014 Sep;91(3):544-6. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0221. Epub 2014 Jun 30.

Abstract

Simple, efficient, and cost-effective strategies are needed for urine sample preparation in the field diagnosis of infection with Schistosoma haematobium. In this proof-of-concept study, we evaluated inexpensive and widely available paper products (paper towels, school workbook paper, and newspaper) to gravity-filter urine containing 60 eggs/mL of Schistosoma haematobium. Eggs were reliably visualized by light microscopy by using single-ply paper towels as urine filters. This filtration method has broad applicability in clinical and public health settings in resource-constrained environments.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Filtration / economics
  • Filtration / instrumentation
  • Filtration / methods*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy
  • Paper
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Schistosoma haematobium / cytology
  • Schistosoma haematobium / isolation & purification*
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / diagnosis*
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / parasitology
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / urine