ABSTRACT
Chemical tests, such as total fat, bile pigments, nitrogen content, and trypsin, are performed on unpreserved fecal specimens. A general discussion of specimen collection is presented by Melvin and Brooke. Regardless of the kind of test to be performed in the clinical laboratory or the methods to be used, the first requirement is collecting the specimen. For clinical parasitology, normally passed stools are generally considered to be preferable. Procedures such as enemas can have a negative effect on specimen quality especially in patients with protozoan infections. If optimal results are desired and expected, proper collection and preparation of the specimen is paramount. Proper handling instructions and an outline of routing to the laboratory should be at those sites where fecal specimens are collected. Clear, concise, and complete instructions should be available at each station along the route to the laboratory where the final examination will be performed.
