O & P with Trichrome Smear

OPTS

2679

Ova and Parasite Concentrate Result, Trichrome Result

10 grams or 10 mL fresh stool preserved in 10% formalin and Polyvinyl Alcohol Transport or single Total-Fix® transport vial

5 grams or 5 mL stool • 10 mL urine (unpreserved) • 2 mL sputum or BAL

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

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.

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

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

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

Set up: Daily; Report available: 5-7 days

No ova and parasites seen

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.