Case #438 - February, 2017
ShareCompartir
A 36-year-old male immigrant, with an elevated eosinophil count, was suspected of being infected with pinworms and was administered a pinworm paddle test. Figures A-C show what was observed on the plastic paddle. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?
Figure A
Figure B
Case Answer
This was a case of taeniasis caused by Taenia spp. Morphologic features shown in the images included small, brownish eggs with refractile hooklets and a thick, radially striated shell in the size range consistent with Taenia sp. (30-35 micrometers).
Since morphological identification to the species level is not possible by observation of eggs alone, obtaining mature proglottids for testing is recommended.
More on: taeniasis
This case and images were kindly provided by the Cadham Provincial Public Health Laboratory, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
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.
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: March 9, 2017
- Page last updated: March 15, 2017
- Content source:
- Global Health – Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria
- Notice: Linking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by HHS, CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.
- Maintained By: