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Test Code MOC Ova, Cyst and Parasites Examination

Laboratory Code

LAB955

Specimen Requirements

Submit only one of the following

 

Specimen Type: Stool
Container/Tube: Sterile screw-capped container with attached spatula
Volume: 10.0 g / 5.0 mL
Minimum Volume: 5.0 g (size of a grape) / 2.0 mL (liquid stool)
Collection Instructions: Collect up to 3 specimens, one specimen collected every 48 hours. Specimen received within 24 hours from the previous one would be rejected.

Indicate target parasite(s) if suspected.

 

Specimen Type: Urine (for Schistostoma haematobium, Microsporidia)
Container/Tube: Sterile container without additives or boric acid
Volume: 20.0 mL
Minimum Volume: 10.0 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect clean catch urine during the mid-day between noon to 3 pm.

 

Specimen Type: Cellophane (“Scotch”) Tape collection (for pinworm)
Container/Tube: Please refer to Cellophane tape method for Perianal specimen.

Volume: Per kit (entire collection)

 

Specimen Type: Duodenal aspirate: recommended for the detection
of Giardia and larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis, Ascaris lumbricoides and Clonorchis sinensis.
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Volume: Entire content
Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL
Collection Instructions: Pass a tube orally through to the duodenum (at least in the third portion) and aspirate the materials. Place contents in a sterile container. Send immediately.

 

Specimen Type: Aspirates, fluids, biopsies
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Volume: Entire content
Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL (fluids); 1.0 g (tissues)
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen aseptically into sterile container.

 

Specimen Type: Skin scrapings (for Scabies detection)
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Volume: Entire content
Collection Instructions: Collect skin scrapes into sterile container. Cap tightly.

Specimen Stability

Preferred temperatures for storage prior to and during shipping to NUH 

 

Specimen Type  All types
Ambient Submit to lab as soon as possible
Refrigerate Do not refrigerate sample
Frozen Do not freeze sample

Methodology

Microscopy for stool specimen with formalin ethyl acetate concentration; Microscopy for other types of specimens

Days and Times Performed

Monday through Sunday, TAT 1 - 3 days

Reference Interval

Ova, Cyst & Parasites not seen

Testing Laboratory

National University Hospital
Clinical Microbiology, 67724343

Useful For

Diagnosis and identification of human parasitic infection based on morphology.

Service Code

23204

LOINC Code Information

673-4

Update

Last updated 21/3/2025

Unacceptable Condition

1. Stool specimen contaminated with urine
2. Unpreserved liquid or soft stool specimen received more than 1 hour post collection.
3. Unpreserved formed stool specimen received more than 24 hours post collection.

Special Instruction

This test does not rule out the presence of cryptosporidium, cyclospora and microsporidia.

Please indicate separately if investigations for the above are required.