Objective: This study comparatively investigated the efficiency of a commercially developed Feconomics® stool concentration method (Salubris, Turkey), its two modifications, and a modified formalin-ether sedimentation (MFES) technique in the microscopic diagnosis of Blastocystis spp.

Material and Methods: The stool samples of 750 patients with various gastrointestinal complaints were analyzed using native-lugol method, and 90 samples that were positive for Blastocystis spp. were included in the study. The stool samples were concentrated using the routinely applied MFES method, Feconomics®, and two different modifications of Feconomics®. The samples were analyzed using the native-lugol and trichrome staining methods before and after concentration to evaluate the number of protozoa in each area and their typical morphological characteristics. In the statistical analysis of the data, chi-square test was used with the aid of IBM SPSS program , and a p<0.05 value was accepted as significant.

Results: The comparison of the results of the direct native-lugol examination with the direct native-lugol examination after concentration with the MFES method revealed no statistically significant difference concerning the number of protozoa in each area (native: p=0.104; lugol: p=0.168). However, the native-lugol examination after concentration with Feconomics® and two different modifications created a statistically significant difference in the number of protozoa in each area compared to the direct native-lugol examination (native: p=0.006, p=0.017, p=0.025; lugol: p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.004). The morphology of Blastocystis spp. was observed to deteriorate and typical appearance disappeared after trichrome staining of samples concentrated with Feconomics® and its two modifications.

Conclusion: Feconomics® presents as a rapid and efficient concentration method for native-lugol examination in parasitology laboratories.