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Intestinal Parasites

- This document provides guidelines for laboratory examination of stool specimens to test for intestinal parasites. - It recommends ordering different tests depending on factors like the patient's age, symptoms, travel history, and duration of diarrhea. - Tests include ova and parasite exam, Cryptosporidium antigen detection, Giardia antigen detection, Microsporidium exam, and Rotavirus antigen. Additional tests may be considered if diarrhea persists or based on detailed patient history.

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Sabir Yeddi
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25 views1 page

Intestinal Parasites

- This document provides guidelines for laboratory examination of stool specimens to test for intestinal parasites. - It recommends ordering different tests depending on factors like the patient's age, symptoms, travel history, and duration of diarrhea. - Tests include ova and parasite exam, Cryptosporidium antigen detection, Giardia antigen detection, Microsporidium exam, and Rotavirus antigen. Additional tests may be considered if diarrhea persists or based on detailed patient history.

Uploaded by

Sabir Yeddi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Laboratory Guidelines For Intestinal Parasites FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

Suggested Physician Ordering Plan for the Laboratory Examination Of Stool Specimens The individual clinician is in the best position to
Washington State Clinical Laboratory Advisory Council determine which tests are most appropriate for a
Originally published: October 2002; Reviewed/Revised: December 2005 particular patient.

Patient Characteristics
NOTE: This algorithm does not include the work-up for bacterial pathogens.

Patient with diarrhea, vague


Watery diarrhea in a patient who: Watery diarrhea in a patient who:
abdominal complaints, or
-is involved in an outbreak, or -is < 5 years old ****, or Patient does not fit
unexplained eosinophilia is a
-has immune deficiency, or -is a camper or backpacker, or conditions described in
current/former resident of, or a
-has contact with farm animals, or -is involved in an outbreak at a other boxes
traveler from, a developing
-has diarrhea for > 7 days resort community
country

Ova and Parasite Exam (X 3)**,


Intestinal parasite exam
with macroscopic and
Stool Cryptosporidium by not indicated. Insure
Stool Giardia antigen microscopic exam*
antigen detection or stain adequate current and
detection (Entamoeba histolytica may also
Stool Giardia antigen distant history; consider
be detected by EIA)
non-parasitic causes
(lactose intolerance, food
poisoning, etc.)

Negative Negative
***

Stool Stool Rotavirus antigen,


If diarrhea # stool culture (including
Microsporidium persists Camplylobacter), C. difficile toxin,
exam by stain or >7 days Shigella toxin
EIA

NOTES:
* If negative, consider adding Giardia Antigen test because of greater sensitivity. References:
** Collect every other day or 3 samples over 10 days 1. Personal communication Joseph Yao, MD; Mayo Clinic
*** Perform O&P exam to look for Cyclospora and Isospora. Some labs perform 2. Personal communication Brad Jensen, MD; SWMC Vancouver, WA
3. Mayo Clinic Reference Laboratory Manual
at same time as Cryptosporidium
4. Shirley Phillips, PhD, letter dated 1/21/1995; Legacy Laboratories
**** For < 5 years old, consider ordering Rotavirus antigen as part of initial work up
# Additional tests that less commonly need to be performed as guided by detailed patient
history. Not all tests listed in the"box" may be relevant for a particular patient.

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