A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Ova and Parasites, Concentrate and Permanent Smear [681X]

Test Code
OPSTS


Alias/See Also

LAB6872



CPT Codes
87177, 87209

Includes
Ova and Parasite Concentrate Result, Trichrome Result


Preferred Specimen

Patient Preparation: Interfering substances-bismuth, barium (wait 7-10 days), antimicrobial agents (wait 2 weeks), gall bladder dye (wait 3 weeks after procedure).

Specimen Type: Preserved stool

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Total-Fix transport vial

Acceptable: 10% formalin AND Polyvinyl Alcohol Transport (PVA) vials, Sodium Para-Pak SVT transport vial

Specimen Volume: 10 grams or 10 mL

Collection Instructions: 

  1. Place fresh stool in preservative vials within 30 minutes of collection.
  2. Add stool to bring the liquid level to the ""fill to here"" line on the vial.
  3. Mix well.
  4. Send specimens at room temperature in the same shipping container.

Additional Information: 

  1. If parasite infestation is strongly suspected, collet at least 3 stool specimens every other day, since a single specimen can be negative.  If Giardia is strongly suspected, see CRYGI, Cryptosporidium/Giardia Antigen

 

 

Specimen Type: BAL

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Sterile container

Acceptable: 10% formalin 

Specimen Volume: 10  mL

Collection Instructions: 

  1. The specimen should be a deep expectorated sputum, preferably collected in the early morning.
  2. A 24-hour sputum collection is also accpetable.
  3. Submit in a sterile screw-capped container, unpreserved or in 10% formalin to increase stability.

 

Specimen Type: Urine

Collection Container/Type: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 25 mL

Collection Instructions: 

  1. Urine may be submitted unpreserved for exam for Schistosoma.
  2. Collect at mid-day.
  3. Peak egg secretion occurs between noon and 3 p.m.
  4. Do not submit first morning specimen.
  5. In patient with hematuria, eggs may be found trapped in blood and mucous in the terminal portion (last-voided portion) of the urine.


Patient Preparation
Interfering substances-bismuth, barium (wait 7-10 days), antimicrobial agents (wait 2 weeks), gall bladder dye (wait 3 weeks after procedure).

Minimum Volume

5 grams or 5 mL of stool


10 mL urine (unpreserved)


2 mL sputum or BAL



Other Acceptable Specimens
Stool in sodium Para-Pak SVT transport vial • 10 mL preserved sputum or BAL, in 10% formalin container • 25 mL of an unpreserved urine, submitted in a sterile, screw-capped container • 10 mL unpreserved sputum or BAL submitted in a sterile, leak-proof container


Instructions
Note: Tissue samples should be sent to pathology.

Place fresh stool in 10% formalin transport vial, as well as PVA transport medium or single Total-Fix® vial, within 30 minutes of collection. Add stool to bring the liquid level to the "fill to here" line on the vial. Mix well. Send specimen(s) at room temperature in the same shipping container. If parasite infestation is strongly suspected, collect at least 3 stool specimens every other day, since a single specimen can be negative. If Giardia is strongly suspected, please see Giardia Antigen, EIA, Stool, Test Code 8625.

Urine may be submitted unpreserved for exam for Schistosoma. Collect at mid-day. Peak egg secretion occurs between noon and 3 p.m. Do not submit first morning specimen. In patients with hematuria, eggs may be found trapped in blood and mucous in the terminal portion (last-voided portion) of the urine specimen.

Sputum: The specimen should be a deep expectorated sputum, preferably collected in the early morning. A 24-hour sputum collection is also acceptable. Submit in a sterile screw-capped container, unpreserved or in 10% formalin to increase stability.


Transport Temperature
Preserved specimens: Room temperature
Unpreserved specimens: Refrigerated (cold packs)


Specimen Stability

Stool (preserved)

Room temperature: 6 months

Refrigerated: 6 months

Frozen: Unacceptable



Urine, Sputum, BAL (unpreserved)

Room temperature: Unacceptable

Refrigerated: 48 hours

Frozen: Unacceptable



Sputum, BAL (preserved)

Room temperature: 6 months

Refrigerated: Unacceptable

Frozen: Unacceptable



Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unpreserved stool • Specimens containing barium •
Stool preserved in medium other than parasitology fixative •
Received frozen • Stool submitted in expired transport vial
• Preserved urine • Unpreserved sputum and urine
received room temperature or frozen • Liver abscess or
aspirate • Stool submitted in EcoFix® transport vial



Methodology

Microscopic Examination of Concentrate • Permanent Stained Smear
 



Setup Schedule

Daily



Report Available

5-7 days



Reference Range
No ova and parasites seen


Clinical Significance
Diseases caused by human parasites remain on a worldwide basis among the principle causes of morbidity and mortality. Correct diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infection depends on proper collection, transport, detection and identification of parasites in stool specimens. Symptoms range from malaise to death. Treatment is dependent upon examining multiple stool specimens due to the erratic shed rates of some parasites.


Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute 14225 Newbrook Drive Chantilly, VA 20153


Last Updated: February 20, 2023


The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.