Concentration and identification of Cryptosporidium sp. by use of a parasite concentrator.

A new disposable plastic tube device and technique for ovum and parasite concentration, with upper and lower chambers separated by a fine screen, was compared with the standard gauze and open-funnel filtration technique as well as with the technique of direct smearing with an acid-fast stain. The new concentrator was distinctly superior to gauze filtration in concentrating Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts. Processing time was reduced. The new technique was less messy and as a closed system was considered to be much safer than gauze filtration.