Stool
Fecon pot
Microscopy for Ova, Cysts and Parasites (OCP) is only routinely performed on specimens from patients with a history of foreign travel (within 6 weeks). If testing is required outside of this window for other reasons (e.g. patient is immunocompromised) please contact the laboratory via email (rduh.MicroConsultants@nhs.net) to discuss with a consultant microbiologist.
We DO NOT perform OCP on samples from patients with a travel history limited to Europe.
Please state OCP on request form (ova, cysts and parasites).
Enterobius vermicularis (threadworm) – please send moistened early morning perianal swab – place in specimen pot rather than in transport media (NB we do not accept sellotape slides).
Recurrent Thread Worm Infection/Enterobiasis
If Amoebiasis is suspected, please contact the duty Microbiologist to discuss.
Diagnosis of intestinal parasites
Local test (Samples for confirmation sent to Hospital for Tropical Diseases – Department of Clinical Parasitology)
24 hours (7 days – if samples needs sending to reference lab for confirmation)
Hot stool for Amoebiasis
Hospital for Tropical Diseases – Department of Clinical Parasitology (Health Services Laboratories)
User Manual – Health Services Laboratories
Ova, Cysts & Parasites (OCP) – Lab Tests Online UK
(Key words: threadworms)
Specimen Labelling Procedure