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Ova & Parasites
MessagePerformed in the Microbiology Laboratory x65785 Please indicate relevant travel history and/or immunocompromised status on requisition.
For Giardia and Cryptosporidium screening (most common pathogens in United States), refer to separate tests.
The recommended screening procedure is three stool specimens: one every OTHER day.
For Giardia and Cryptosporidium screening (most common pathogens in United States), refer to separate tests.
The recommended screening procedure is three stool specimens: one every OTHER day.
Test Code
OP
Alias/See Also
Parasites, Fecal
CPT Codes
87177 O&P direct smear, concentration and identification. 87209 Trichrome Stain for Ova and Parasites.
Includes
87177 (O + P concentration, direct smear and identification) 87209 (trichrome stain
Preferred Specimen
Fresh, random diarrheal or soft formed sample
Patient Preparation
Collection of fecal specimens for intestinal parasites should always be performed prior to the use of any antacids, barium, bismuth, antidiarrheal medication, or oily laxatives.
Minimum Volume
Walnut sized. (10-20Grams)
Instructions
Only one specimen per day accepted.
Wait 7-10 days AFTER upper or lower GI with barium procedures and 2 weeks after taking mineral oil, bismuth, antimalarial agents or nonabsorbable antidiarrheal preparations.
If unable to bring in a fresh specimen, provide the patient with a TOTAL-FIX vial (with instructions) to preserve the specimen.
Not appropriate test for hospital acquired infections.
Wait 7-10 days AFTER upper or lower GI with barium procedures and 2 weeks after taking mineral oil, bismuth, antimalarial agents or nonabsorbable antidiarrheal preparations.
If unable to bring in a fresh specimen, provide the patient with a TOTAL-FIX vial (with instructions) to preserve the specimen.
Not appropriate test for hospital acquired infections.
Transport Container
Plastic cup
Plastic-coated cardboard cup
Any clean, dry container with a tight fitting lid
Plastic-coated cardboard cup
Any clean, dry container with a tight fitting lid
Transport Temperature
Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
Transport to lab within 2 hours of collection.
Refrigerate if unable to delivery promptly.
If delivery will be significantly delayed (<24 hours), provide patient with TOTAL-FIX preservative and appropriate instructions.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Contamination with urine or water.
>1 sample/day
Samples collected after 3 days of hospitalization.
Hard or formed stool (rattles in the cup)(Bristol Stool Scale Type 1)
Methodology
Concentration and Microscopic exam
Setup Schedule
Test performed Sunday through Saturday 6am- 11pm
Report Available
Within 48 hours.
Limitations
Cryptosporidium, Cystoisospora (Isospora), and Cyclospora species may not be detected by routine OVA Parasites exam.
Order "Stain Coccidia Partial Acid Fast" CRYPT (CPT code 87207) if these agents are suspected.
Giardia and Cryptosporidium DFA, and Microsporidia stain are performed at a reference lab (Quest Diagnostics).
This test is not suitable for diagnosis of hospital aquirred diarrhea.
All O&P test requests are reviewed by a pathology resident for approval. for
Tapeworm ID order OPID (CPT code 87169), for Pinwork(enterobius vermicularis eggsor worms) exam. Call Microbiology x65785 for a Pinworm Paddle Collection Kit
For Tickor Arthropod ID order ARTHR (CPT 87168)
Order "Stain Coccidia Partial Acid Fast" CRYPT (CPT code 87207) if these agents are suspected.
Giardia and Cryptosporidium DFA, and Microsporidia stain are performed at a reference lab (Quest Diagnostics).
This test is not suitable for diagnosis of hospital aquirred diarrhea.
All O&P test requests are reviewed by a pathology resident for approval. for
Tapeworm ID order OPID (CPT code 87169), for Pinwork(enterobius vermicularis eggsor worms) exam. Call Microbiology x65785 for a Pinworm Paddle Collection Kit
For Tickor Arthropod ID order ARTHR (CPT 87168)
Reference Range
No parasites seen
Clinical Significance
Examination of the stool in the Microbiology laboratory for Ova and Parasites is done to diagnose parasitic infection of the intestines. The presence or absence of parasites or their eggs (ova) is noted. The classes of parasites that can cause disease in humans and are are found in stool are Protozoa, and Helminths. Anyone, regardless of race or economic status, can become infected, through contaminated water or food, in the USA and abroad,
Protozoa are microscopic, one-celled organisms that can be free-living or parasitic in nature. They are able to multiply in humans, which contributes to their survival and also permits serious infections to develop from just a single organism. Transmission of protozoa that live in a human’s intestine to another human typically occurs through a fecal-oral route (for example, contaminated food or water or person-to-person contact examples include Entamoeba, or Giardia.
Helminths are large, multicellular organisms that are generally visible to the naked eye in their adult stages. Like protozoa, helminths can be either free-living or parasitic in nature. In their adult form, helminths cannot multiply in humans. There are several helminths (worms) that are human parasites, hese include Cestodes (tapeworms and Nematodes (roundworms), the adults or the ova may be found in the gastrointestinal tract. Some of these organisms may also be found by pathological exam of tissues.
“Non-pathogenic Amoeba” include Entamoeba harmanni and Entamoeba coli, Endolimax buetschlii and Chilosmastix mesnili and mat be indicative of exposure to contaminated water.
Blastocytis hominis is reported as a possible pathogen.
All pathogenic amoeba and helminth eggs or larvae are called to the physician
Protozoa are microscopic, one-celled organisms that can be free-living or parasitic in nature. They are able to multiply in humans, which contributes to their survival and also permits serious infections to develop from just a single organism. Transmission of protozoa that live in a human’s intestine to another human typically occurs through a fecal-oral route (for example, contaminated food or water or person-to-person contact examples include Entamoeba, or Giardia.
Helminths are large, multicellular organisms that are generally visible to the naked eye in their adult stages. Like protozoa, helminths can be either free-living or parasitic in nature. In their adult form, helminths cannot multiply in humans. There are several helminths (worms) that are human parasites, hese include Cestodes (tapeworms and Nematodes (roundworms), the adults or the ova may be found in the gastrointestinal tract. Some of these organisms may also be found by pathological exam of tissues.
“Non-pathogenic Amoeba” include Entamoeba harmanni and Entamoeba coli, Endolimax buetschlii and Chilosmastix mesnili and mat be indicative of exposure to contaminated water.
Blastocytis hominis is reported as a possible pathogen.
All pathogenic amoeba and helminth eggs or larvae are called to the physician
Performing Laboratory
Microbiology X65785 / x65786
