Parasitic Worm Identification
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| WSLH Department: | CDD - Communicable Disease Division |
| WSLH Test Code: | MP00860 |
| Day(s) Performed: | Daily, Monday - Friday |
| Turn-around Time: | 1-3 days |
| Recommended Uses: | For the diagnosis of parasitic worm infections of humans |
| Contraindications: | |
| Additional Tests Performed: |
| Patient Preparations: | |
| Specimen Requirements: | 1. Recovered worm in 10% Formalin or its equivalent 2. 70% ethanol; 3. Scotch tape or paddle preparation for Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis). 4. If preservative is unavailable, use a sterile container with a small amount of water to prevent desiccation. |
| Specimen Handling & Transport: | Ambient temperature |
| Collection Kit/Container: | |
| Collection Instructions: | Scotch-tape or paddle preparations should be taken early in the morning. Preserve and send specimens as soon as possible. |
| Unacceptable Conditions: | Worms isolated from animals or the environment and worms that are degraded or desiccated; submission of arthropods (insects) are inappropriate for this test. |
| Requisition Form: |
CDD Requisition Form A
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| Required Information: | Laboratory regulations require the following minimum information to be provided on the requisition form for a specimen to be accepted for testing: Patient name or unique identifier; date and time of collection, patient date of birth and sex, specimen type/site of collection, test request(s), clinician name and UPIN, and address for reporting results. Please be certain that name/identifier on the form matches that on the specimen label. |
| Results Include: | Identification of worm or organism. Artifact which is not consistent with a parasitic worm. |
| Limitations: | This test is not a replacement for a routine ova and parasite exam to effectively diagnose helminth infections. Many helminths may be only detected by the detection of ova or larvae in concentrated stool samples. |
| Additional Tests Recommended: | 1. Ova and Parasites, Intestinal (Test MP00840) For Stool only 2. Ectoparasite and Arthropod Identification (Test MP87168) |
| Additional Comments: | Worms may produce fertile, infectious eggs; use proper precautions when handling parasitic worms. |
| Methodology: | Macroscopic and Microscopic examinations |
| Includes: | Confirmation and identification of suspected parasitic worms of humans. |
| CPT Code: | 87169 |
| Price: | $43.00 Price Effective 1/1/25 |