Ova and Parasites Exam
- LIS Mnemonic: OP
Collect
Stool or colonic wash should be collected in a clean container and transferred to O&P vials.
Urine should be collected in a sterile leak proof container.
Volume Required
O&P vials for stool require approximately 5 mls of liquid stool for each vial. Add specimen to the vials until the liquid reaches the fill line. For other stool consistencies, i.e. loose, soft or formed, add stool to each vial until the liquid in the vial reaches the fill line.
Urine submission should be at least 5 mls.
Minimum Required
See Volume Required.
The ratio of stool to preservative should be 1:4.
Transport
Room temperature
Stability
Specimens in O&P vials: 2 months
Urine at room temperature: 24 hours
Unacceptable conditions
Ova and Parasite testing cannot be performed if patient has had barium enema during the last 7-10 days.
Specimens submitted on swabs or in diapers.
Refrigerated specimens
Days Performed
Mon - Fri, exclud. holiday
Reported
Within 72 hours
CPT
87177
Methodology
Microscopic Exams (concentrate and stain)
This test does not allow for the identifcation of Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora or the Microsporidia.
Remarks
Optimal stool submission: 3 samples collected 2-3 days apart. It is extrememly important that each sample should be clearly documented with date and time of collection, especially when mutiple samples are submitted.
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Urine for S. hematobium: single specimen or 24 hour collection. Best collection for a single specimen is at midday; peak egg excretion occurs between noon and 3PM. If single specimens submitted are repeatedly negative for S. hematobium and clinical suspicion is high, submit a 24 hour urine specimen.
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If other specimen sources are to be submitted, please contact the Laboratory for collection and submission instructions.
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