FPC® Fecal Parasite Concentrator

FPC® Fecal Parasite Concentrator (Classic)

An independent study* comparing four commercially available fecal concentrators concluded that our patented FPC® Fecal Parasite Concentrator is very easy to use, provides clean sediment for microscopic examination, and requires the shortest processing time. Also, of the study devices tested, the FPC® was the least expensive.

FPC® is the cleanest, most advanced means of isolating helminth eggs and larvae, protozoan cysts, coccidian oocysts, and microsporidian spores. Excellent results are obtained using either fresh or preserved specimens.

METHODOLOGY

The FPC® is a modification of the formalin-ether (F-E) method of Ritchie and was developed at the National Institutes of Health; it is available exclusively from ASC Scientific.

Rather than using the older funnel-gauze method, FPC® uses two 15 ml polypropylene tubes with an interconnected, precision molded strainer. The 0.6 mm × 0.6 mm holes allow the parasites to pass through the strainer, but the system retains the excess fecal debris.

FPC® Fecal Parasite Concentrator (Classic)

BENEFITS

This leakproof, self-contained concentration system leaves no mess and minimizes odor. Benefits of this approach also include the ability to standardize the fecal concentration procedure, thus eliminating varying results among different users. The procedure is easy to perform and minimizes personnel exposure to potentially infectious specimens.

Overall benefits include: simplicity, safety, excellent parasite recovery, standardization of the procedure, and minimal odor without funnels, gauze, and potential laboratory spills and contamination.

*Perry, J.L., Matthews, J.S., and Miller, G.R. 1990. Parasite detection efficiencies of five stool concentration systems. J. Clin. Microbiol. 28:1094-1097.