Test ID: OAP
Parasitic Examination
NY State Approved 
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Detection and identification of parasites: included are Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica (amoeba), helminth eggs, protozoa, larval worms, and segments (proglottids) of tapeworms.
See Parasitic Investigation of Stool Specimens Algorithm in Special Instructions for other diagnostic tests that may be of value in evaluating patients with diarrhea.
Testing Algorithm Delineates situation(s) when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.
See Parasitic Investigation of Stool Specimens Algorithm in Special Instructions.
Special Instructions and Forms Describes specimen collection and preparation information, test algorithms, and other information pertinent to test. Also includes pertinent information and consent forms to be used when requesting a particular test
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Microscopic
Includes trichrome stain.
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Trichrome Stain
Egg Cyst
Parasitic Exam
Protozoa
Amoeba, Ameba
Ova
50016-OAP
Helminth
Isospora, Isospora belli, Cystoisospora
Parasites
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube: ECOFIX preservative (Supply T219)
Specimen Volume: Portion of liquid stool
Collection Instructions:
1. Place specimen into preservative within 2 hours of passage.
2. Follow instructions on the container as follows:
a. Mix the contents of the tube with the spoon, twist the cap tightly closed, and shake vigorously until the contents are well mixed.
b. Do not fill above the line indicated on the container.
Additional Information:
1. It is strongly recommended that multiple specimens be submitted for ova and parasite analysis. At least 3 specimens should be collected, 1 each day.
2. To submit worms or worm segments, place in 70% alcohol and order separate test PARID/9202 Parasite Identification.
Forms: If not ordering electronically, submit a Microbiology Request Form (Supply T244) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | NA |
| Lipemia | NA |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fecal | Ambient (preferred) | 21 days |
| Refrigerated | 21 days |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Diarrhea, malnutrition, anemia, and intestinal obstruction are some of the consequences of infection with intestinal parasites. Protozoa may cause diarrhea and/or malabsorption by elaborating toxins or by adhering to or invading the mucosa or by unknown mechanisms. Cryptosporidiosis occurs as a self-limited moderate diarrhea in young children, especially daycare attendees and their relatives.
Helminths (worms) may obstruct the intestine, cause blood loss, or interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients. Larvae or eggs may disseminate beyond the intestine and cause tissue destruction and provoke inflammation.
Parasitic protozoa and helminths of various types also may inhabit the intestinal tracts of humans and animals without causing disease.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Negative
If positive, organism identified
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
A positive result indicates the presence of the parasite but does not necessarily indicate that it is the cause of any symptoms. Some strains of protozoa are nonpathogenic and some helminths cause little or no illness.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Stool specimens is suspected of containing tapeworm segments or other adult worms: the suspected worm should be placed in 70% alcohol and submitted as test PARID/9202 Parasite Identification
For optimal results, a specific request should be made for the detection of Cryptosporidium, microsporidium, Cyclospora, or pinworm.
If cryptosporidiosis is suspected, CRYPS/80335 Cryptosporidium Antigen, Feces should be ordered.
This test is not appropriate for the detection of Acanthamoeba, filaria, malaria, trypanosomes, Toxoplasma, or Trichomonas, since these organisms do not occur in the stool.
Examination of a minimum of 3 specimens is required for the detection of > or =90% of some protozoal infections, especially giardiasis.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Garcia L, Bruckner D: Diagnostic Medical Parasitology. 3rd edition. Washington, DC, ASM Press, 1997
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
A portion of the ECOFIX-preserved stool is concentrated and examined. A permanent trichrome-stained slide is prepared from the ECOFIX-preserved feces. (Mayo Clinic Parasitology Laboratory Procedure Manual, 1999, pp 86-105)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Friday; 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
87015-Concentration (any type), for infectious agents
87209-Smear, primary source with interpretation; complex special stain (eg, trichrome, iron hematoxylin) for ova and parasites
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| OAP | Parasitic Examination | In Process |
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