Whole Arthropods: Whole Arthropods (i.e. including Ticks, Mites, etc.) in a leakproof dry Sterile Container.
Whole Helminths: Whole Helminths (i.e. Round Worms, Tape Worms etc.) wrapped in a sterile saline soaked piece of gauze in a leakproof Sterile Container.
Tissue Biopsies: Tissue Biopsies wrapped in a saline soaked piece of gauze – please submit a parallel portion, representative of the same disease process, for review by Surgical Pathology.
Aspirates of Anatomical Sites: Aspirates of Anatomical Sites (i.e. Duodenum) or Fluid Collections (i.e. abscesses) in a leakproof Sterile Container – please submit a portion for review by Cytology.
Unacceptable Conditions
Other container types including those with preservatives and those involving collection via swabs. An Aspirate specimen that arrives in the laboratory in a syringe with a needle attached will be rejected and discarded. Needles should be removed and disposed of appropriately with subsequent capping of the syringe before submission to the laboratory.
Collection Comments
If the provider is aware of a pertinent travel history, please contact the IU Health Customer Care at 317.491.6000 or 800.433.0740 and asked to be transferred to the Division of Clinical Microbiology
If the provider has a question regarding specimen submission, please contact the IU Health Customer Care at 317.491.6000 or 800.433.0740 and asked to be transferred to the Division of Clinical Microbiology.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerated or Room Temperature. Transport to Microbiology Laboratory immediately.
Ordering Recommendations
This test may be ordered when a parasitic infection is suspected. However, other evaluations are typically more sensitive and more appropriate initial evaluations, including Egg & Parasite testing (O&P) and Blood Parasite testing. A Direct Parasite Exam can be ordered to identify Whole Arthropods and Whole Helminths via macroscopic review. Identification may not be possible, but will be attempted, when portions of organisms are submitted. A Direct Parasite Exam can be ordered to microscopically examine Tissue Biopsies suspected to contain parasites. This approach may yield a comparatively quick result, but should be paired with a more comprehensive evaluation by submitting a parallel portion to Surgical Pathology. Similarly, a Direct Parasite Exam can be ordered to microscopically review Aspirates of Anatomical Sites (particularly Duodenum for Giardia) or Aspirates of Fluid Collections.
Performed
Monday - Friday; Days
Methodology
Microscopic Exam
Reported
1-3 days
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Synonyms
Parasite Direct Exam
Parasite ID
Parasite Exam Direct
Direct Parasite Exam
3103
Reference Interval
No parasites seen
CPT Codes
87169
LOINC Codes
NAME
LOINC
Order
Direct Parasite Exam
20932-0
Test Code (Outreach Synonym)
3103
Catalog Code
692204
Collection
Collect
Whole Arthropods: Whole Arthropods (i.e. including Ticks, Mites, etc.) in a leakproof dry Sterile Container.
Whole Helminths: Whole Helminths (i.e. Round Worms, Tape Worms etc.) wrapped in a sterile saline soaked piece of gauze in a leakproof Sterile Container.
Tissue Biopsies: Tissue Biopsies wrapped in a saline soaked piece of gauze – please submit a parallel portion, representative of the same disease process, for review by Surgical Pathology.
Aspirates of Anatomical Sites: Aspirates of Anatomical Sites (i.e. Duodenum) or Fluid Collections (i.e. abscesses) in a leakproof Sterile Container – please submit a portion for review by Cytology.
Unacceptable Conditions
Other container types including those with preservatives and those involving collection via swabs. An Aspirate specimen that arrives in the laboratory in a syringe with a needle attached will be rejected and discarded. Needles should be removed and disposed of appropriately with subsequent capping of the syringe before submission to the laboratory.
Collection Comments
If the provider is aware of a pertinent travel history, please contact the IU Health Customer Care at 317.491.6000 or 800.433.0740 and asked to be transferred to the Division of Clinical Microbiology
If the provider has a question regarding specimen submission, please contact the IU Health Customer Care at 317.491.6000 or 800.433.0740 and asked to be transferred to the Division of Clinical Microbiology.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerated or Room Temperature. Transport to Microbiology Laboratory immediately.
Ordering
Ordering Recommendations
This test may be ordered when a parasitic infection is suspected. However, other evaluations are typically more sensitive and more appropriate initial evaluations, including Egg & Parasite testing (O&P) and Blood Parasite testing. A Direct Parasite Exam can be ordered to identify Whole Arthropods and Whole Helminths via macroscopic review. Identification may not be possible, but will be attempted, when portions of organisms are submitted. A Direct Parasite Exam can be ordered to microscopically examine Tissue Biopsies suspected to contain parasites. This approach may yield a comparatively quick result, but should be paired with a more comprehensive evaluation by submitting a parallel portion to Surgical Pathology. Similarly, a Direct Parasite Exam can be ordered to microscopically review Aspirates of Anatomical Sites (particularly Duodenum for Giardia) or Aspirates of Fluid Collections.
