Ova and parasite, stool (Calgary/South)
- Test Name:
- Ova and parasite, stool (Calgary/South)
- Body Source(s):
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Stool / feces
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Clinical Prerequisite(s):
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1. A clinical history form must be
provided: Parasite History Form
· If clinical history is not provided, the specimen is only screened (by PCR) for protozoal parasites (Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba). Refer to: Parasite Screen, stool (Calgary/South)
2. Avoid ordering ova and parasite examinations for 10 days after the patient has had barium studies, antacids, mineral oil or recent mineral laxatives
3. Antibiotics may reduce amoeboid parasite levels significantly for up to 3 weeks - resulting in false negative results
4. Parasite shedding in stool is variable. A minimum of 3 stool specimens, taken at 2-3-day intervals may be needed for optimal recovery
- Collection Device/Tube Type:
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SAF fixative transport device - PLUS - a 60 mL sterile, plastic container
- Collection Instructions:
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Patient Instructions, Sample Handling, and Safety Information
Adequate mixing of the stool specimen in SAF is critical for optimal preservation
- Handling/Storage Comments:
-
- Transport the specimen and requisition to the testing laboratory as soon as possible after collection
- Unpreserved stool, less than 2 hours old, may be transferred to SAF
- If delivery to the laboratory is delayed, refrigerate specimen for a maximum of 24 hours
- Transport the specimen and requisition to the testing laboratory as soon as possible after collection
- Rejection Criteria:
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Specimens are rejected if:
• specimen or requisition is mislabelled or unlabelled
• specimen is not in SAF preservative
• multiple specimens are collected on the same day. Only one is processed
• leaking specimens
• if barium or oil is noted in the stool sample
- Turnaround Times
- See Microbiology Information»
- Last Reviewed:
- 06 May 2024
