Parasites (other) – Echinococcus

Serologic detection and/or identification of Echinococcus parasite (hydatid disease)
Microbiology
Bacteriology
Serology ○ Whole blood ○ Serum Microscopy ○ Aspirate from cyst ○ Excised biopsy
Other Information
○ Indicate following on requisition: country/region of origin, if any travel history and if patient has eosinophilia or imaging demonstrating a space occupying lesion.
○ Echinococcus granulosus is distributed across Canada while Echinococcus multilocularis is limited to: AB, MB, ON, SK, NWT
○ The NRCP assay does not distinguish between E. granulosus and E. multilocularis. If E. multilocularis is requested, approval by microbiologist is warranted and the sample will be forwarded to Berne, Switzerland.
○ Cross-reactivity with other helminths has been described.
○ Whole blood/serum: Serum separator tube (clotted blood) (min volume 5 mL)
○ Aspirate from cyst/excised cyst: sterile container

Whole blood/serum
○ Decontaminate skin with 70% alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine, collect at least 5 mL of blood in appropriate container

Aspirate from cyst/cyst biopsy
○ Aspirates should be collected aseptically through decontaminated skin using a syringe and needle, placed in a sterile container and submitted to the laboratory ASAP.
○ Excised cysts should be collected aseptically using surgical technique and placed in a sterile container with 1 mL of saline.

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
PHOL
○ Microscopy: up to 3 days
○ Serology: Up to 15 days
416-586-4800 extension 4592
NO

○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.

○ Specimens should be stored at room temperature (20-25˚C) after collection and transported to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory ASAP. Specimens for serology should be sent at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C)

○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing. PHOL will refer serology specimens to NRCP.