Identification of fecal parasites in the quality assessment programme for the year 1984-1987, in Thailand.

Review of data from the quality assessment programme of the DHLQC for the years 1984-1987 shows that some laboratories still have difficulty identifying fecal parasites; particularly the protozoa and the rare parasites although percentages of correct identification have improved in recent years. Helminth ova or larvae in fecal specimens were correctly identified by approximately 55 per cent of the laboratories. Correct identification of intestinal protozoan cysts, however, was achieved by an average of only 29 per cent of the participants.