Specimen Collection
Clinical details must include onset of illness, history of travel or other risk factors of parasitic exposure.
Faecal
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Three faecal specimens should be collected on separate days within a period of 10 days.
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Half fill
a faecal container and transport to laboratory as soon as possible. Note: Examination for amoebic trophozoites should be performed within one hour of collection.
Extra-intestinal Specimens
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Collect sample of aspirated fluid in a sterile container.
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Sample types can include Liver abscess, Duodenal aspirates and Jejunal aspirates
Turnaround Time: Within 3 days
Performed Monday to Friday only.
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
Full parasite examination
Faecal:
A full parasite examination includes a direct wet film mount, a concentration of the faeces, and a permanent stained smear.
The full parasite examination is moderately sensitive and looks for large numbers of different intestinal parasites. Test procedures will be performed on symptomatic patients with the following typical risk factors:
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History of travel to geographical areas where parasites are endemic
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Unexplained eosinophilia
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Immunocompromised patients with diarrhoea
Extra-intestinal specimens:
A full parasite examination includes a direct wet film mount and a permanent stained smear.
The full parasite examination is moderately sensitive. Test procedures will be performed on symptomatic patients with the following typical risk factors:
-
History of travel to geographical areas where parasites are endemic
-
Unexplained eosinophilia
Microsporidia testing
Testing for Microsporidia in faeces is only considered appropriate in patients with HIV infection.
Amoebic liver abscess testing
Liver abscess aspirates from patients with suspected amoebic liver abscess will be tested for Entamoeba histolytica by PCR (Filmarray Gastrointestinal PCR Panel).
Strongyloides stercoralis testing
Faecal :
A standard examination for ova, cysts and parasites is performed. Given the low sensitivity of stool examination a minimum of three stool specimens should be collected on separate days within a period of 10 days.
Serology :
Test for antibodies are available as an adjunct for diagnosis. Serological screening is recommended prior to immunosuppressive therapy or transplantation for patients at risk of chronic Strongyloidiasis. Please refer to Strongyloides serology link below.
Other tests:
Entamoeba histolytica antibodies
Gastrointestinal Panel PCR (FilmArray)
Hydatid serology
Microsporidia
Schistosomiasis examination
Schistosomiasis serology
Strongyloides serology
Contact Information
For further information, contact the Microbiology Department via Lablink or the Clinical Microbiologist:
Lablink contact details
Dr Sally Roberts
, Microbiologist:
ext 22705
Cellphone
021 674 140
Dr Sharmini Muttaiyah
, Microbiologist:
ext 22700
Cellphone
021 615 892
Dr Mary de Almeida
, Microbiologist:
ext 22700
Cellphone
021 170 9117
Dr Matthew Blakiston
, Microbiologist: contact via Lablink
Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories
External laboratories referring a faeces specimen for parasite examination should aliquot as soon as possible the faeces into both:
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Total-fix suspension (1 part stool / 2 part fixative)
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10% buffered formal saline (1g stool / 7mL fixative)
It is
extremely important
that the faeces is put into the fixative promptly and that the suspension is mixed thoroughly.
Send preserved specimens at ambient room temperature.
If a wet film has been done by the referring laboratory and/or a Giardia/Cryptococcus immunoassay performed, please write the results of these on the request form accompanying the specimen.