Ova and Parasites, Concentrate and Permanent Smear

• Interfering substances --bismuth, barium (wait 7-10 days), antimicrobial agents (wait 2 weeks), gall bladder dye (wait 3 weeks after preparation
• If  parasitic infestation is stongly suspected, collect up to 3 stool specimens over a 1-3 day period, since a single specimen can be negative

• minimum of 2 gms (about the size of a small chicken egg)
• if liquid or watery, must cover the bottom of clean container
• specimen must not be contaminated with urine
• transport to  SRHC laboratory at  room temperature within 2 hours of collection or within 4 hours if refrigerated

OR

Total Fix (Single vial)
 

• Minimum:  2 gms of fresh stool
• place stool in single Total Fix vial within 30 minutes of collection
• add stool to bring liquid level to the "fill line" on the vial and mix well by firmly shaking vial
• transport vial at room temperature sealed in plastic bag
• Total Fix vials may be obtained from Microbiology department ar SRHC

OR

• minimum 1 gm stool in EACH vial
• place stool in 10% formalin vial and PVA vial within 1 hour of collection
• add stool to bring the liquid level to the "fill to here " line on the vials and mix well
• transport both vials at room temperature in the same bag
• ParaPaks may be obtained from the Microbiology department at SRHC

Note: Tissue samples should be sent to pathology.

Stool: Place fresh stool in single Total-Fix transport vial or 10% formalin transport vial, as well as PVA transport medium, 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.

Urine: 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-cap container, unpreserved or in 10% formalin to increase stability.