LAVALLE, Jestin B.

Kato-Katz Method

1. What are the materials/ reagents are needed to perform the test? Describe the use of each.

o Green cellophane – or white cellophane immersed in malachite green and glycerine – it is used to minimize
the brightness of the background and for better visualization of the ova
o Wire mesh – used to sieve the feces / stool and to eliminate fecal debris
o Template – used in order to standardized the amount of stool for examination
o Spatula – used to collect the sieved stool and used in transferring the sieved stool into the hole of the
template

2. Describe the different templates used, and explain how one arrives at the factor used in the calculation of ova
count.

1000
Template (D x T) Amount of Stool Factor =
amt of stool
9 mm X 1 mm 50 mg 20
6 mm X 1.5 mm 41.7 mg 24
6.5 mm X 0.5 mm 20 mg 50

3. How soon after preparation should examine the smear? Why?

The smear should be examined after 10-20 minutes to allow the water to evaporate and the glycerol to clear the
feces. Also, hookworm eggs clear rapidly and will no longer be visible after 30-60 minutes. (For all helminth
eggs except hookworms, keep slides for one hour or more at ambient temperature to clear the fecal material
prior to examination under the microscope. To speed up clearing and examination, the slide can be placed in a
400 ˚C incubator or keep in direct sunlight for several minutes.)

4. What other significant data may be derived from its findings? How are they obtained?

The data can be used to assess the intensity of infection in Schistosomiasis and common soil transmitted
helminthiasis like ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection. This can be obtained by multiplying the
number of eggs counted by 20 if using a 50 mg template; by 50 for a 20 mg template, and; by 24 if for a 41.7
template, to give the number of eggs per grams of feces. This can be determined if the infected person has a
light, moderate or heavy intensity of infection. Also, consistency of the stool is the main determinant for the
sensitivity of the technique, since drier stools yield higher egg counts than moist ones. This procedure can also
distinguish parasitic stages from fecal material and/or artifacts during microscopic examination.
LAVALLE, Jestin B.

5. Compare differences and similarities between Kato-Katz and Kato-Thick. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of each?

Kato-Katz
Both techniques use green cellophane, used to demonstrate soil transmitted helminth eggs
Similarities
and are only used for formed stool.
Used for egg counting procedures; correlate
the severity of clinical disease with the
Differences intensity of infection or worm burden; assess
efficacy of antihelminthics; amount of stool
depends on the template
Uniform amount of stool is used; useful for
assessing the intensity of infection in
Advantages Schistosomiasis and common STH; fecal
debris can be omitted through the use of a
wire mesh
Time consuming; can only be done on fresh
formed stools and not on liquid and
preserved samples; more materials needed; a
Disadvantages factor is needed in order to know worm
burden on EPG
Kato-Thick
Used for mass stool examinations; amount of
stool is 50-60 mg; lesser materials are needed;
stool is not sieved through a wire mesh
Very good in detecting eggs with thick shells;
appropriate for formed stools; a clearing
solution is used
Does not detect egg with thin shells;
preparation is kept too long before
examination; hookworm eggs may become
too transparent or distorted making
identification difficult; cannot be used for
watery/ diarrheic stools; cannot detect
protozoan cysts/trophozoites