Laboratory diagnosis of parasites

Laboratory diagnosis of parasites

Laboratory diagnosis of parasites

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Microscopy - The Classic Hunt

  • Direct visualization remains the gold standard for identifying many parasites. The choice of sample and preparation technique is critical.

  • Stool Examination (Ova & Parasites - O&P):

    • Wet Mount (Saline/Iodine): Detects motile trophozoites (e.g., Entamoeba histolytica), cysts, and ova.
    • Permanent Stains (e.g., Trichrome): Provides detailed morphology for definitive identification of protozoan cysts and trophozoites.
    • Modified Acid-Fast Stain: Crucial for oocysts of Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, and Cystoisospora.
  • Blood Smears:

    • Giemsa Stain: The standard for blood parasites.
    • Used for Plasmodium, Babesia, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and microfilariae.

    Thick vs. Thin Smear: A thick smear screens for the presence of parasites (higher sensitivity as more blood is viewed). A thin smear allows for species-level identification (e.g., P. falciparum vs. P. vivax) by preserving RBC morphology.

Thick vs. Thin Blood Smears for Malaria Diagnosis

  • Other Key Preparations:
    • CSF Wet Mount: For motile Naegleria fowleri trophozoites.
    • Vaginal Wet Mount: For motile Trichomonas vaginalis.
    • Muscle Biopsy: For Trichinella larvae.

Advanced Diagnostics - Beyond the Scope

  • Molecular Methods (NAATs/PCR):

    • Highest sensitivity & specificity.
    • Detects low parasitemia, speciates organisms (e.g., Plasmodium spp.), & identifies drug resistance genes.
    • Key for Leishmania, Toxoplasma, Babesia, Trichomonas.
  • Antigen Detection:

    • Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for stool or blood.
    • Examples: Plasmodium HRP2/pLDH, Giardia & Cryptosporidium stool antigen assays. Life cycle of Plasmodium, highlighting diagnostic markers
  • Serology (Antibody Detection):

    • Detects host IgG/IgM; for latent/chronic or tissue stages where organisms are scarce (e.g., Toxoplasma, Strongyloides, T. cruzi, Echinococcus).

⭐ Serology often cannot distinguish between active and past, cured infection, as antibodies can persist for years.

Key Morphologies - Parasite Lineup

  • Protozoa
    • Giardia lamblia: Pear-shaped, flagellated trophozoites; oval cysts.
    • Entamoeba histolytica: Trophozoites with ingested RBCs; cysts with up to 4 nuclei.
    • Cryptosporidium: Oocysts on acid-fast stain.
    • Trypanosoma cruzi: C-shaped trypomastigotes in blood smear.
    • Plasmodium: Ring form within RBCs.
  • Helminths
    • Enterobius vermicularis: D-shaped (football-like) eggs on tape test.
    • Ascaris lumbricoides: Large, bile-stained, knobby-coated eggs.
    • Taenia solium: Scolex with 4 suckers and a circle of hooks.
    • Schistosoma: Eggs with characteristic spines (lateral: mansoni, terminal: haematobium).

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites containing engulfed red blood cells are pathognomonic.

Morphology of Protozoa and Helminths

  • Stool O&P is the classic test for most intestinal protozoa and helminths; multiple samples are often required for sensitivity.
  • Thick and thin blood smears (Giemsa stain) are crucial for diagnosing blood-borne parasites like malaria and trypanosomes.
  • The Scotch tape test is the preferred method for detecting pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) eggs.
  • Serology is key for diagnosing tissue-invasive parasites like Toxoplasma and Echinococcus.
  • Antigen detection assays offer rapid diagnosis for Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Practice Questions: Laboratory diagnosis of parasites

Test your understanding with these related questions

An 82-year-old woman presents with 2 months of foul-smelling, greasy diarrhea. She says that she also has felt very tired recently and has had some associated bloating and flatus. She denies any recent abdominal pain, nausea, melena, hematochezia, or vomiting. She also denies any history of recent travel and states that her home has city water. Which of the following tests would be most appropriate to initially work up the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

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Flashcards: Laboratory diagnosis of parasites

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How is Wuchereria bancrofti diagnosed?_____

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How is Wuchereria bancrofti diagnosed?_____

blood smear

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