DIRECT WET SMEAR: Procedure

1. Place 1 drop of 0.85% NaCl on the left side of the slide and 1 drop of iodine (working solution) on the right side of the slide. If preferred, two slides can be used instead of one.

2. Take a small amount of fecal specimen (the amount picked up on the end of an applicator stick when introduced into the specimen) and thoroughly emulsify the stool in the saline and iodine preparations (use separate sticks for each).

3. Place a 22-mm coverslip (no. 1) on each suspension.

4. Systematically scan both suspensions with the 10 x objective. The entire coverslip area should be examined under low power (total magnification of x 100).