Chapter 2 Flashcards
Stool samples from patients whose therapy includes barium, bismuth, or mineral oil should be collected
prior to therapy or not until 5 to 7 days after the completion of therapy.
Collection of specimens from patients who have taken antibiotics or antimalarial medications should be
delayed for 2 weeks following therapy
Stool specimens should be collected in
a clean, watertight container with a tight-fitting lid.
The acceptable amount of stool required for parasite study is
2 to 5 g, often referred to as the size of a walnut.
Urine should not be allowed to contaminate the stool specimen because
it has been known to destroy some parasites.
Stool should not be retrieved from toilet bowl water because
free-living protozoa and nematodes may be confused with human parasites.
The specimen container should be labeled with the
patient’s name and identification number, the physician’s name, and the date and time of sample collection.
To demonstrate the motility of protozoan trophozoites, ____ is required.
a fresh specimen
Because trophozoites are usually found in liquid stool, it is recommended that liquid specimens be examined within
30 minutes of passage.
In keeping with stool consistency, semiformed specimens may yield a mixture of protozoan cysts and trophozoites and should be evaluated within
1 hour of passage.
Formed stool specimens are not likely to contain trophozoites; therefore, they can be held for
24 hours following collection.
FIXATIVES FOR PRESERVATION
- Formalin
- POLYVINYL ALCOHOL
- SODIUM ACETATE FORMALIN
- MODIFIED POLYVINYL ALCOHOL
- ALTERNATIVE SINGLE-VIAL SYSTEMS
___ are substances that preserve the morphology of protozoa and prevent further development of certain helminth eggs and larvae.
Fixatives
___ ideally preserves protozoan cysts
5% concentration
_____ preserves helminth eggs and larvae
10% concentration
Formalin may be routinely used for
direct examinations and concentration procedures, but not for permanent smears
Advantages of formalin
- It is easy to prepare
- It preserves specimens for up to several years
- It has a long shelf life.
Disadvantages of formalin
- Does not preserve parasite morphology adequately for permanent smears
- Trophozoites and morphologic details of cysts and eggs may fade with time
It is comprised of a plastic powder that acts as
an adhesive for the stool specimen when
preparing slides for staining
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Polyvinyl Alcohol is most often combined with
Schaudinn solution, which usually contains zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, or mercuric chloride as a base
Trophozoites and cysts of the protozoa, as well as most helminth eggs, may be detected using this fixative.
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Advantages of Polyvinyl Alcohol
- It can be used for preparation of a permanent stained smear
- Long shelf life when stored at room temperature
Disadvantages of Polyvinyl Alcohol
- Certain parasites is not as effective as when formalin is used
- Schaudinn solution contains mercuric chloride
A viable alternative to the use of PVA and Schaudinn fixative
SODIUM ACETATE FORMALIN
This preservative can be used for performing concentration techniques and permanent stained smears.
SODIUM ACETATE FORMALIN
Advantages of SODIUM ACETATE FORMALIN
- Easy to prepare
- Long shelf life
- Can be used for preparing smear
Disdvantages of SODIUM ACETATE FORMALIN
- Addition of albumin to the microscope slide may be necessary for adhesion
- Protozoa is not clear