Ova & Parasites – Bowel

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Identification of parasites from bowel material
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Parasitology
Specimen Type	○ Scrapings from ulcerated bowel during sigmoidoscopy

Other Information

○ Indicate appropriate clinical information on the requisition (e.g. travel history or country of origin if refugee, returned traveller or recent immigrant, consumption of certain food products, eosinophilia, HIV, immunocompromise, critical illness, admitted to ICU or previous parasite infection. The foreign country MUST be identified on the requisition.

○ Please indicate any specific organisms suspected on the requisition

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Sterile container (with small amount of saline ~ 1mL)

Collection Requirements

○ Collect tissue and place in a clean, sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline.

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Up to 3 days from receipt at PHO laboratory

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4580

Approval Required

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.. Transport specimen to the laboratory within 72 hours.

○ Specimens should be stored at room temperature (20-25˚C) and transported to the laboratory ASAP after collection.

○ UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory will refer specimen to Public Health
Ontario Laboratory for testing