Patient testing for common parasites causing diarrhea is included in Gastrointestinal Pathogen PCR Panel. Order Ova and Parasite Exam in cases of suspected helminth (worm) infection, primarily in returning travelers. Additional testing for rare causes of diarrhea in immunocompromised patients (primarily HIV) can be ordered with Coccidia Exam and Microsporidia Exam.
Approval Required
Contact Microbiology at x3-1268 for Stool O&P requests on inpatients > 72 hours after admission.
Available Stat
No
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Performed
Monday-Friday, day shift
Methodology
Microscopy
Reported
1-3 days
Additional Information
Includes concentration and iron-hematoxylin smear, and Kinyoun stain of unconcentrated sample for Cyclospora, Cryptosporidia, and Cystoisospora.
Aspirates are not acceptable for Giardia Antigen or Entamoeba histolytica antigen.
Also see entries for Coccidia Exam and Microsporidia.
For hepatic abscess aspirates: If the specimen is QNS to prepare stained smears, a wet mount alone will be done and procedure P412 charged.
Synonyms
Ova & Parasites
O&P
scolex
Protozoan concentration
Coccidia
Entamoeba histolytica
Patient Preparation
Patient should be off ALL antibiotics for ≥ 2 weeks before for an O&P examination to be valid.
Stool specimens received into the lab between the hours of 23:30-06:30 should be submitted to the lab in SAF fixative.
SAF vials and instructions available from Material Services (PMM # 44366 Vials SAF Sterile Child Resistant Cap 574-05-CRC-WB).
Outpatients can obtain these from the laboratories' draw stations.
Amount to Collect
See preferred volume
Preferred Volume
Stool: 10 mL (fill SAF vial to red line on container label)
Duodenal/Colonic/Stool aspirates: 15 mL
Hepatic abscess aspirates: 2 mL
Minimum Volume
5 mL (2 mL for Hepatic abscess aspirates)
Remarks
Collect 3 stool samples (one every 48 hours preferred, one per day is acceptable) to improve the chance of a positive result.
Aspirates submitted in a sterile container or leuken trap should be received in laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Preserved: 2 weeks
Unpreserved: 1 hour (aspirates will be accepted >1 hour, but results may be compromised).
Rejection Criteria
Unpreserved stool received > 1 hour after collection.
Stool in a preservative other than SAF.
More than one stool sample received within 24 hours.
Stool not mixed well in SAF, or if preservative has been poured out or is expired.
SAF container filled past the red line on the container label.
Test Code
P401
Test Group
Parasites
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Specimen Preparation
Hepatic abscess aspirates: Put 1 ml of the specimen into a 15 ml centrifuge tube and add 2 parts SAF to 1 part specimen. Label tube as “SAF preserved.” The remaining unpreserved aspirate should be refrigerated.
Transfer all other unpreserved samples to SAF preservative upon receipt in lab.
Do not reject unpreserved aspirates >1 hour post collection. Enter COMPRO in SREQ.
When receiving O&Ps by mail open each box individually. If necessary, label sample with patient name from information sheet in box. If information sheet is not filled out, give mailing container to parasitologist to investigate. If collection date is missing from specimens, accession each specimen and freetext note in SREQ “No collection date provided.”
Preferred Volume
Stool: 10 mL (fill SAF vial to red line on container label)
Duodenal/Colonic/Stool aspirates: 15 mL
Hepatic abscess aspirates: 2 mL
Minimum Volume
5 mL (2 mL for Hepatic abscess aspirates)
Rejection Criteria
Unpreserved stool received > 1 hour after collection.
Stool in a preservative other than SAF.
More than one stool sample received within 24 hours.
Stool not mixed well in SAF, or if preservative has been poured out or is expired.
SAF container filled past the red line on the container label.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Preserved: 2 weeks
Unpreserved: 1 hour (aspirates will be accepted >1 hour, but results may be compromised).
Reference Interval
No parasites seen
Critical Values
Entamoeba histolytica in hepatic aspirate
Additional Information
Includes concentration and iron-hematoxylin smear, and Kinyoun stain of unconcentrated sample for Cyclospora, Cryptosporidia, and Cystoisospora.
Aspirates are not acceptable for Giardia Antigen or Entamoeba histolytica antigen.
Also see entries for Coccidia Exam and Microsporidia.
For hepatic abscess aspirates: If the specimen is QNS to prepare stained smears, a wet mount alone will be done and procedure P412 charged.
CPT Codes
87177, 87207, 87209
LOINC Codes
10704-5
Approval Required
Contact Microbiology at x3-1268 for Stool O&P requests on inpatients > 72 hours after admission.
Available Stat
No
Ordering Recommendations
Patient testing for common parasites causing diarrhea is included in Gastrointestinal Pathogen PCR Panel. Order Ova and Parasite Exam in cases of suspected helminth (worm) infection, primarily in returning travelers. Additional testing for rare causes of diarrhea in immunocompromised patients (primarily HIV) can be ordered with Coccidia Exam and Microsporidia Exam.
Test Code
P401
Test Group
Parasites
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Performed
Monday-Friday, day shift
Methodology
Microscopy
Patient Preparation
Patient should be off ALL antibiotics for ≥ 2 weeks before for an O&P examination to be valid.
Remarks
Collect 3 stool samples (one every 48 hours preferred, one per day is acceptable) to improve the chance of a positive result.
Aspirates submitted in a sterile container or leuken trap should be received in laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.
Collect
Hepatic abscess aspirates: Sterile container
All other samples: SAF vial
Stool specimens received into the lab between the hours of 23:30-06:30 should be submitted to the lab in SAF fixative.
SAF vials and instructions available from Material Services (PMM # 44366 Vials SAF Sterile Child Resistant Cap 574-05-CRC-WB).
Outpatients can obtain these from the laboratories' draw stations.
Stool: 10 mL (fill SAF vial to red line on container label)
Duodenal/Colonic/Stool aspirates: 15 mL
Hepatic abscess aspirates: 2 mL
Minimum Volume
5 mL (2 mL for Hepatic abscess aspirates)
Rejection Criteria
Unpreserved stool received > 1 hour after collection.
Stool in a preservative other than SAF.
More than one stool sample received within 24 hours.
Stool not mixed well in SAF, or if preservative has been poured out or is expired.
SAF container filled past the red line on the container label.
Specimen Preparation
Hepatic abscess aspirates: Put 1 ml of the specimen into a 15 ml centrifuge tube and add 2 parts SAF to 1 part specimen. Label tube as “SAF preserved.” The remaining unpreserved aspirate should be refrigerated.
Transfer all other unpreserved samples to SAF preservative upon receipt in lab.
Do not reject unpreserved aspirates >1 hour post collection. Enter COMPRO in SREQ.
When receiving O&Ps by mail open each box individually. If necessary, label sample with patient name from information sheet in box. If information sheet is not filled out, give mailing container to parasitologist to investigate. If collection date is missing from specimens, accession each specimen and freetext note in SREQ “No collection date provided.”
Reference Interval
No parasites seen
Critical Values
Entamoeba histolytica in hepatic aspirate
Synonyms
Ova & Parasites
O&P
scolex
Protozoan concentration
Coccidia
Entamoeba histolytica
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Preserved: 2 weeks
Unpreserved: 1 hour (aspirates will be accepted >1 hour, but results may be compromised).
Reported
1-3 days
Additional Information
Includes concentration and iron-hematoxylin smear, and Kinyoun stain of unconcentrated sample for Cyclospora, Cryptosporidia, and Cystoisospora.
Aspirates are not acceptable for Giardia Antigen or Entamoeba histolytica antigen.
Also see entries for Coccidia Exam and Microsporidia.
For hepatic abscess aspirates: If the specimen is QNS to prepare stained smears, a wet mount alone will be done and procedure P412 charged.
CPT Codes
87177, 87207, 87209
LOINC Codes
10704-5
Ordering
Ordering Recommendations
Patient testing for common parasites causing diarrhea is included in Gastrointestinal Pathogen PCR Panel. Order Ova and Parasite Exam in cases of suspected helminth (worm) infection, primarily in returning travelers. Additional testing for rare causes of diarrhea in immunocompromised patients (primarily HIV) can be ordered with Coccidia Exam and Microsporidia Exam.
Approval Required
Contact Microbiology at x3-1268 for Stool O&P requests on inpatients > 72 hours after admission.
Available Stat
No
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Performed
Monday-Friday, day shift
Methodology
Microscopy
Reported
1-3 days
Additional Information
Includes concentration and iron-hematoxylin smear, and Kinyoun stain of unconcentrated sample for Cyclospora, Cryptosporidia, and Cystoisospora.
Aspirates are not acceptable for Giardia Antigen or Entamoeba histolytica antigen.
Also see entries for Coccidia Exam and Microsporidia.
For hepatic abscess aspirates: If the specimen is QNS to prepare stained smears, a wet mount alone will be done and procedure P412 charged.
Synonyms
Ova & Parasites
O&P
scolex
Protozoan concentration
Coccidia
Entamoeba histolytica
Collection
Patient Preparation
Patient should be off ALL antibiotics for ≥ 2 weeks before for an O&P examination to be valid.
Stool specimens received into the lab between the hours of 23:30-06:30 should be submitted to the lab in SAF fixative.
SAF vials and instructions available from Material Services (PMM # 44366 Vials SAF Sterile Child Resistant Cap 574-05-CRC-WB).
Outpatients can obtain these from the laboratories' draw stations.
Amount to Collect
See preferred volume
Preferred Volume
Stool: 10 mL (fill SAF vial to red line on container label)
Duodenal/Colonic/Stool aspirates: 15 mL
Hepatic abscess aspirates: 2 mL
Minimum Volume
5 mL (2 mL for Hepatic abscess aspirates)
Remarks
Collect 3 stool samples (one every 48 hours preferred, one per day is acceptable) to improve the chance of a positive result.
Aspirates submitted in a sterile container or leuken trap should be received in laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Preserved: 2 weeks
Unpreserved: 1 hour (aspirates will be accepted >1 hour, but results may be compromised).
Rejection Criteria
Unpreserved stool received > 1 hour after collection.
Stool in a preservative other than SAF.
More than one stool sample received within 24 hours.
Stool not mixed well in SAF, or if preservative has been poured out or is expired.
SAF container filled past the red line on the container label.
Processing
Test Code
P401
Test Group
Parasites
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Specimen Preparation
Hepatic abscess aspirates: Put 1 ml of the specimen into a 15 ml centrifuge tube and add 2 parts SAF to 1 part specimen. Label tube as “SAF preserved.” The remaining unpreserved aspirate should be refrigerated.
Transfer all other unpreserved samples to SAF preservative upon receipt in lab.
Do not reject unpreserved aspirates >1 hour post collection. Enter COMPRO in SREQ.
When receiving O&Ps by mail open each box individually. If necessary, label sample with patient name from information sheet in box. If information sheet is not filled out, give mailing container to parasitologist to investigate. If collection date is missing from specimens, accession each specimen and freetext note in SREQ “No collection date provided.”
Preferred Volume
Stool: 10 mL (fill SAF vial to red line on container label)
Duodenal/Colonic/Stool aspirates: 15 mL
Hepatic abscess aspirates: 2 mL
Minimum Volume
5 mL (2 mL for Hepatic abscess aspirates)
Rejection Criteria
Unpreserved stool received > 1 hour after collection.
Stool in a preservative other than SAF.
More than one stool sample received within 24 hours.
Stool not mixed well in SAF, or if preservative has been poured out or is expired.
SAF container filled past the red line on the container label.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Preserved: 2 weeks
Unpreserved: 1 hour (aspirates will be accepted >1 hour, but results may be compromised).
Result Interpretation
Reference Interval
No parasites seen
Critical Values
Entamoeba histolytica in hepatic aspirate
Additional Information
Includes concentration and iron-hematoxylin smear, and Kinyoun stain of unconcentrated sample for Cyclospora, Cryptosporidia, and Cystoisospora.
Aspirates are not acceptable for Giardia Antigen or Entamoeba histolytica antigen.
Also see entries for Coccidia Exam and Microsporidia.
For hepatic abscess aspirates: If the specimen is QNS to prepare stained smears, a wet mount alone will be done and procedure P412 charged.
Administrative
CPT Codes
87177, 87207, 87209
LOINC Codes
10704-5
Complete View
Approval Required
Contact Microbiology at x3-1268 for Stool O&P requests on inpatients > 72 hours after admission.
Available Stat
No
Ordering Recommendations
Patient testing for common parasites causing diarrhea is included in Gastrointestinal Pathogen PCR Panel. Order Ova and Parasite Exam in cases of suspected helminth (worm) infection, primarily in returning travelers. Additional testing for rare causes of diarrhea in immunocompromised patients (primarily HIV) can be ordered with Coccidia Exam and Microsporidia Exam.
Test Code
P401
Test Group
Parasites
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Performed
Monday-Friday, day shift
Methodology
Microscopy
Patient Preparation
Patient should be off ALL antibiotics for ≥ 2 weeks before for an O&P examination to be valid.
Remarks
Collect 3 stool samples (one every 48 hours preferred, one per day is acceptable) to improve the chance of a positive result.
Aspirates submitted in a sterile container or leuken trap should be received in laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.
Collect
Hepatic abscess aspirates: Sterile container
All other samples: SAF vial
Stool specimens received into the lab between the hours of 23:30-06:30 should be submitted to the lab in SAF fixative.
SAF vials and instructions available from Material Services (PMM # 44366 Vials SAF Sterile Child Resistant Cap 574-05-CRC-WB).
Outpatients can obtain these from the laboratories' draw stations.
Stool: 10 mL (fill SAF vial to red line on container label)
Duodenal/Colonic/Stool aspirates: 15 mL
Hepatic abscess aspirates: 2 mL
Minimum Volume
5 mL (2 mL for Hepatic abscess aspirates)
Rejection Criteria
Unpreserved stool received > 1 hour after collection.
Stool in a preservative other than SAF.
More than one stool sample received within 24 hours.
Stool not mixed well in SAF, or if preservative has been poured out or is expired.
SAF container filled past the red line on the container label.
Specimen Preparation
Hepatic abscess aspirates: Put 1 ml of the specimen into a 15 ml centrifuge tube and add 2 parts SAF to 1 part specimen. Label tube as “SAF preserved.” The remaining unpreserved aspirate should be refrigerated.
Transfer all other unpreserved samples to SAF preservative upon receipt in lab.
Do not reject unpreserved aspirates >1 hour post collection. Enter COMPRO in SREQ.
When receiving O&Ps by mail open each box individually. If necessary, label sample with patient name from information sheet in box. If information sheet is not filled out, give mailing container to parasitologist to investigate. If collection date is missing from specimens, accession each specimen and freetext note in SREQ “No collection date provided.”
Reference Interval
No parasites seen
Critical Values
Entamoeba histolytica in hepatic aspirate
Synonyms
Ova & Parasites
O&P
scolex
Protozoan concentration
Coccidia
Entamoeba histolytica
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Preserved: 2 weeks
Unpreserved: 1 hour (aspirates will be accepted >1 hour, but results may be compromised).
Reported
1-3 days
Additional Information
Includes concentration and iron-hematoxylin smear, and Kinyoun stain of unconcentrated sample for Cyclospora, Cryptosporidia, and Cystoisospora.
Aspirates are not acceptable for Giardia Antigen or Entamoeba histolytica antigen.
Also see entries for Coccidia Exam and Microsporidia.
For hepatic abscess aspirates: If the specimen is QNS to prepare stained smears, a wet mount alone will be done and procedure P412 charged.
