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Ova & Parasites

eDH Procedure Code(s)

LAB955 Full Ova and Parasites Exam

Test Information

This is a full microscopic exam for parasites and must include a travel history. Ova and Parasite (O&P) examination is an appropriate test only when a patient has a travel history to an endemic area and/or is immunocompromised. If neither of these criteria are met, the O&P order will automatically be canceled without provider notification and only Giardia/Cryptosporidium antigen testing [LAB1319] will be performed. Stool samples are saved for 7 days.

For additional information about stool parasite testing see Parasitic Invesigation of Stool Specimen Algorithm.

Specimens must NOT contain barium, mineral oil, or urine.

Single specimens or up to 3 specimens will be accepted for exam. Requests for patients hospitalized for more than 3 days are not accepted without pathologist approval.

Other test to consider:
Giardia/Cryptosporidium (LAB 1319)
Cyclospora (LAB 3145)
Parasite ID (LAB 247, if an actual worm, tick, or bug is collected)

If amebiasis is high on the differential, a specific test for E. histolytica stool antigen may be ordered. It is more sensitive than microscopy and can definitively establish the presence of pathogenic ameba, which can no longer be differentiated from non-pathogens by microscopy. 

Order Questions

LAB955 Full Ova and Parasites Exam
  • Specify travel history (where) or if patient is in an immunosuppressed state?

Collection Information

Refer to Job Aid #6707.

Specimen Collection
1.    Pass the stool into a clean, dry container. Do not urinate on the specimen or in the collection container/tubes. Do not pass the specimen directly into vials. Do not pass the specimen into a toilet.
2.    Open the vials containing the liquid. Using the collection spoon built into the lid of the tube, place small scoopfuls of stool from areas which appear bloody, slimy, or watery into the tube until the contents rise to the red line. If the stool is formed (hard), sample small amounts from each end and the middle.
3.    Mix the contents of the vial with the spoon, then twist the cap tightly closed and shake the vial vigorously until the contents are well-mixed. Repeat instructions 2 and 3 for each vial which contains liquid.
4.    Check all vial caps to be certain they are tightly closed.
5.    Submit both a vials, 10% formalin & zinc-PVA, for each specimen collection. 

Specimen Information

Specimen Type Specimen Source Acceptable Containers Minimum Test Volume (mL)
Stool Stool PkPara-A 1.0

Shipping and Handling


Transport Temperature: Ambient

Specimen Stability
Ambient: 14 days
Refrigerate: n/a
Frozen: n/a

Test Components

Component LOINC Code
OVA AND PARASITES 673-4

Turnaround Time (TAT)

72 Hours

CPT Code(s)

87209
87210

Performing Lab Section

Microbiology

Performing Lab(s)

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Laboratory (MHMH)