NOTE: Please ensure that a correct amount of stool sample is provided in EACH vial. If this cannot be the case, please click on the <Practical> tab for further information.
The Parasitology profile includes testing by PCR and microscopy and can be performed on a one-, two- or three-day collection, based on practitioner preference. While parasitic infection may be an underlying etiological factor in several chronic disease processes, doctors often do not consider the potential for parasitic involvement because signs and symptoms of parasitic infection often resemble those of other diseases. However, it has been shown that parasite testing is a reasonable approach to the detection of causative agents for chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
While parasitic infection may be an underlying etiological (causal) factor in several chronic disease processes, doctors often do not consider the potential for parasitic involvement because signs and symptoms of parasitic infection often resemble those of other diseases. Yet, it has been shown that parasite testing is a reasonable approach to the detection of causative agents for chronic gastrointestinal disorders. According to Dr. Hermann R. Bueno of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in London, “parasites are the missing diagnosis in the genesis of many chronic health problems, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system.
Most Westerners are inclined to believe that a parasitic infection is a rare and exotic occurrence, limited to those who live in and have traveled to the tropics. However, there has been an increase in the incidence of parasitic infections due to contamination of water supplies; increased use of day care centers; increased travel to, and visits from residents of countries where parasitic infections are endemic; household pets; consumption of exotic and uncooked foods; antibiotic use; and increased sexuality.
Infection can occur by four different pathways. These routes include contaminated food or water, insect vectors, sexual contact, and passage through the skin and nose. A thorough patient history will help assess the possibility of parasitic infection and the need for appropriate testing to confirm a suspicion. However, a definitive diagnosis can be difficult because the life cycle of some parasites enables them to escape detection through standard tests. Interfering factors such as barium, bismuth, enemas, and antimicrobials such as antibiotics may further complicate detection of parasites in the stool. This is why expedient testing is important when a parasitic infection is suspected.
Overview
Markers:
Protozoa
- Balantidium coli
- Blastocystis spp.
- Chilomastix mesnili
- Dientamoeba fragilis
- Endolimax nana
- Entamoeba coli
- Entamoeba hartmanni
- Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar
- Entamoeba polecki
- Enteromonas hominis
- Giardia duodenalis lodamoeba bütschlii
- Isospora belli
- Pentatrichomonas hominis
Nematodes - Roundworms
- Ascaris lumbricoides
- Capillaria hepatica
- Capillaria philippinensis
- Enterobius vermicularis
- Strongyloides stercoralis
- Trichuris trichiura
- Hookworm
- Cestodes - Tapeworms
- Diphyllobothrium latum
- Dipylidium caninum
- Hymenolepis diminuta
- Hymenolepis nana
- Taenia
Trematodes - Flukes
- Clonorchis sinensis
- Fasciola hepatica/Fasciolopsis buski
- Heterophyes heterophyes
- Paragonimus westermani
- Parasites
- Cryptosporidium (C. parvum and C. hominis)
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Giardia duodenalis (AKA intestinalis & lamblia)
Other Markers
- Yeast
- RBC
- WBC
- Muscle fibers
- Vegetable fibers
- Charcot-Leyden Crystals
- Pollen
Symptoms and conditions:
- Parasitic infections
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Gas
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Arthralgias
- Myalgias
- Anemia
- New or increased allergic reactions
- Skin lesions
- Agitation and anxiety
- Sleep complications
- Fatigue
- Malnutrition
- Decreased immune function
Practical
Specimen requirements: STOOL
QUANTITY: Each vial must be filled until the indicated fill line, and must not be filled to the top.
STORAGE:
Black capped vials: REFRIGERATE (DO NOT freeze)
The test kit contains 3 black-capped parasitology vials, and practitioner can instruct patient to collect on 1, 2 or 3 days. The unused vials can be discarded. Yellow vial should be collected on the last day of sample collection.
Age requirements:
Applicable to all ages. For infants, collect from the middle of the stool, not touching the diaper as this will contaminate the sample. The stool needs to be free of urine.