Analysis of the staining quality of soil transmitted helminths (STH) eggs in Tectona grandis Linn. f.-glycerol wet mount preparations against preparation storage periods
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Arista Kurniasari Budi Fristiani
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0468-2336
Mudyawati Kamaruddin
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6932-1150
Firnas Hilmi Ammar
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3879-6601
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain a significant public health problem in Indonesia. Microscopic identification of STH eggs relies on wet mount preparations, which require clear, stable, and well-contrasted staining. Although leaf extract of Tectona grandis Linn. f. contains anthocyanins and tannins with potential as a natural dye, data on the storage stability and long-term microscopic quality of wet mounts stained with this extract are limited. This study evaluated the staining efficacy (clarity, contrast, and preservation of egg morphology) and temporal stability of wet mount preparations stained with 30% (v/v) ethanolic T. grandis leaf extract in glycerol, compared with 2% glycerol eosin as a positive control. Faecal samples positive for STH were collected from 30 participants and prepared as wet mount slides, which were examined macroscopically and microscopically during 1–3 weeks of storage. Two expert observers independently assessed slide quality using a 3-point scoring scale, supplemented by evaluation of microscopic colour intensity. The microscopic quality of T. grandis–stained preparations improved over time, with proportion rated “very good” increasing from 20% in week 1 to 60% in week 3. The Friedman test showed a significant effect of storage time on microscopic quality (p = 0.029). Compared with eosin T. grandis preparations showed no significant differences in egg morphology preservation and colour contrast (p-value > 0.05), indicating comparable staining efficacy. In conclusion, 30% (v/v) ethanolic T. grandis leaf extract in glycerol is a promising natural alternative stain for STH egg wet mounts, with efficacy comparable to eosin and with quality maintained and improving, over 3 weeks of storage.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Arista Kurniasari Budi Fristiani, Mudyawati Kamaruddin, Firnas Hilmi Ammar
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