Patient Preparation: Specimen collection should be delayed for 7 to 10 days after administration of barium, bismuth, kaolin, magnesia, castor oil or mineral oil, and 2 to 3 weeks after antibiotics have been given since these may interfere with identification of protozoa
Specimen Type: Feces
Supplies: ECOFIX Stool Transport Vial (Kit) (t790)
Preferred: ECOFIX preservative
Acceptable: 10% Buffered Formalin Stool Transport plus Zinc Polyvinyl Alcohol (Zn PVA) Stool Transport (one of each)
Specimen Volume: Portion of stool; 2g 2mL
Collection Instructions:
Place specimen into preservative within 30 minutes of passage or collection
Follow instructions on the container as follows:
Mix the contents of the tube with the spoon, twist the cap tightly closed, and shake vigorously until the contents are well mixed. Refer to the fill line on the Ecofix vial for stool specimens
Do not fill above the line indicated on the container
Additional Information: Stool placed in 10% buffered formalin can be accepted if accompanied by a Zn PVA-preserved specimen; 10% buffered formalin-preserved specimens submitted without an accompanying Zn PVA-preserved specimen will be canceled.
Minimum Sample Volume
5 mL
Stability
Ambient (preferred): 21 days
Refrigerated: 21 days
Unacceptable Specimen Conditions
All specimens will be evaluated by Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.
Limitations
It is strongly recommended that multiple stool specimens be submitted for ova and parasite analysis. At least 3 specimens should be collected, 1 each day or on alternate days (over a maximum 10-day period)
Parasites are shed irregularly in stool and examination of a single specimen does not guarantee detection
If possible adult worms or proglottids are identified in stool or the patient undergarments, they should be placed in 70% alcohol and submitted for PARID / Parasite Identification
For optimal results, the specific test should be ordered for detection of Giardia, Cryptosporidium, microsporidia, Cyclospora, or pinworm. The OPE / Parasitic Examination is not the optimal method for detecting these parasites
Parasitic examination of a minimum of 3 stool specimens is indicated for detecting most intestinal protozoa and helminths with maximum sensitivity
Parasitic infections are uncommonly acquired in the hospital setting. This test is not usually useful in patients hospitalized for more than 3 days
