Final answer:
b) Parasite testing.Stool for parasite testing is preserved using specific chemicals like PVA and formalin to maintain sample integrity for accurate test results.
Step-by-step explanation:
Specimen preservation and storage are crucial for accurate test results in the medical field.
For the question, stool for parasite testing is preserved\/transported depending on procedures to be performed: polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), 10% formalin, sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF), merthiolate-iodine-formalin (MIF), others without formaldehyde or mercury (e.g., Ecofix, Parasafe).
These methods are specifically designed to maintain the integrity of the stool sample for parasite detection and ensure that the parasites, if present, are in a state that can be identified correctly under a microscope or through other testing methods.
Different fixatives such as PVA and formalin are essential for chemical fixation to kill microorganisms, preserve tissue structure, and halt decomposition, enabling precise examination of the stool sample.
The choice of preservative depends on the specific parasites being tested for, the laboratory protocols, and the transportation conditions.
Detailed knowledge of specimen processing, chemical fixation, and the transportation of medical specimens is essential in epidemiology and pathology to diagnose diseases accurately and initiate appropriate treatment.