Which diagnostic technique is used for identifying hookworms?

The technique used for identifying hookworms is stool examination for ova. Hookworms, which belong to the family Ancylostomatidae, are typically diagnosed by detecting their eggs in a stool sample. The female hookworm lays thousands of eggs daily, which pass through the digestive tract and are excreted in the host's feces. When a stool examination is performed, a microscopy analysis is conducted to identify the characteristic hookworm ova.

This method is reliable and widely used in clinical laboratories because it allows for direct observation of the eggs, aiding in the confirmation of infection. Other techniques, such as serological blood tests for antibodies or other specimens like urine or sputum, are not standard practice for hookworm identification, as hookworm infections primarily manifest through gastrointestinal symptoms and the presence of eggs in stool.