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Ova & Parasites

eD-H Order Code

LAB955

Specimen Collection Information

Specimen Minimum Test Volume Container Special Handling
Stool 1.0 ML  
Urine 1.0 ML  

 

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 Transport Temperature

Ambient

Frozen samples are rejected

Specimen Stability

14 days

Additional Specimen Instructions

Para-Pak (10% formalin/PVA); Frozen not acceptable.
This is a full microscopic exam for parasites and must include a travel history. Testing is restricted to patients that have traveled abroad in parasite endemic areas, MUST include travel history or immunocompromised state.

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 (LAB 1319)
Cryptosporidium (LAB 3624)
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.

Interpretive Data

Assay Display Interpretive Data
C Ova and Para Cyclospora and Microsporidia are not included in routine Ova & Parasite exam. Must order separately.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

CPT(s)

87209 ; 87210

Performing Lab Section

Microbiology