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Case #309 - October, 2011

A 19-year-old male presented to his health care provider with moderate abdominal cramping and intermittent diarrhea that started approximately one week following a camping trip in the southeastern United States. A fecal specimen in 10% formalin was submitted for ova-and-parasite (O&P) examination. A formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) concentrate was performed and Figures A and B show what was observed at 400x magnification in a wet mount preparation. The objects measured 17-20 micrometers on average. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?

Case309_A

Figure A

Case309_B

Figure B

Case Answer

The objects shown in the figures were pollen grains (artifacts), and a diagnosis was made of No Parasites Found (NPF). The striations may mislead one to think of Taenia eggs, but the size was too small (Taenia eggs measure 30-35 micrometers) and the internal morphology was not consistent with Taenia eggs.

More on: Artifacts

Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.

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DPDx is an education resource designed for health professionals and laboratory scientists. For an overview including prevention and control visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/.

  • Page last reviewed: August 24, 2016
  • Page last updated: August 24, 2016
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