Traditional clinical parasitology is based upon the diagnostic combination
of two procedures: the concentration and the permanent smear.
Historically these two procedures have required the use of two
separate fixatives: a heavy metal PVA for the permanent smear and
formalin for the concentration.
Although utilized for concentration procedures, formalin distorts protozoan
trophozoites and juvenile nematodes. LV-PVA contains mercuric chloride; it
is extremely toxic and environmentally hazardous. The viscosity of any PVA-
based fixative prevents concentration and direct LCA and EIA procedures.
PVAs containing other heavy metals (zinc & copper) have similar problems
and do not provide staining results comparable to LV-PVA or Proto-fix™ CLR.
Until now, products attempting to overcome these limitations have been
partially effective at best. Alpha-Tec Systems has set the new standard in
parasitology with Proto-fix™ CLR.