Clinical pathology: Clinical Chemistry-(vi) Evaluation of digestion and intestinal absorption

Question 1

What should be done with faecal sample if it cannot be examined within 2 hours?

Answer 1

Needs to be refrigerated.

Question 2

Which parasites can be detected from direct smears?(6)

Answer 2

Strongyloides
Coccidia
Giardia
Balantidiun
Entamoeba
Trichomonas

Question 3

Which parasites can be detected from wet mounts?

Answer 3

Giardia
Balantidium
Entamoeba

Question 4

What method would you use for detecting parasitic ova and oocysts? What different faecal solutions can be used with thus method?

Answer 4

Faecal flotation

Sugar solution, sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, zinc sulphate or sodium nitrate solutions

Question 5

What technique is most useful for detection of larvae in faeces?

Answer 5

Baermann technique is most useful for detection of larvae in faeces.

Question 6

In what different situations will you perform a faecal occult blood test? (5)

Answer 6

Performed inanimals with chronic diarrhea or loose stools, microcytic anaemia, a history of GI tumors or in those treated with NSAIDs

Question 7

What may a positive faecal occult blood test result indicate?

Answer 7

Upper GI tract inflammation, ulceration or neoplasia