ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History) : 2002272

Mnemonic: OPFEC

Ordering Recommendation: Do not order unless patient has defined risk factor and at least 3 days of persistent diarrhea. Do not order for patients who develop diarrhea during an inpatient stay.
Methodology: Qualitative Concentration/Trichrome Stain/Microscopy
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 3-7 days
Specimen Required: Patient Prep: Specimens analyzed to determine the efficacy of treatment should be collected three to four weeks after completion of therapy. Antibiotics may affect results of exam.

Collect: Stool. Recommended collection: 3 separate stool specimens within a 10-day period (an individual order must be submitted for each specimen).

Specimen Preparation: Preserve each stool collection in 10% formalin AND modified PVA (ARUP Supply #16355) within one hour of collection. Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787.

Storage/Transport Temperature: Room temperature.

Remarks: Indicate suspected parasites.

Unacceptable Conditions: Rectal swabs. Multiple specimens (more than one in 24 hours). Unpreserved specimens. Specimens containing barium, oil, or urine.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): Ambient: 9 months; Refrigerated: 9 months; Frozen: Unacceptable
Reference Interval:
Negative
Interpretive Data: Method for identification of Ova and Parasites includes wet mount and trichromes stain.

Stool antigen testing is the optimal test method for determining the parasitic presence of Giardia, Cryptosporidium spp, or Entamoeba histolytica. The ova and parasite exam does not specifically detect Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Cystoisospora, and Microsporidia. For Cryptosporidium, refer to Cryptosporidium Antigen by EIA (ARUP test code 0060045). For Cyclospora and Cystoisospora, refer to Parasitology Stain by Modified Acid-Fast (ARUP test code 0060046). For Microsporidia, refer to Microsporidia Stain (ARUP test code 0060050).
Note: For Ova and Parasite exams from non-stool sources, refer to Ova and Parasite Exam, Body Fluid or Urine (ARUP test code 2002277). For Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Cystoisospora stains, refer to Parasitology Stain by Modified Acid-Fast (ARUP test code 0060046). For macroscopic parasite identification (worms or proglottids), refer to Parasite Examination, Macroscopic (ARUP test code 2007361).
CPT Code(s): 87177; 87209
Cross References: Ascaris (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)) , Chlonorchis sinensis (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)) , Eggs or Cysts (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)), Fasciola (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)) , Giardia Exam (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)) , Helminths (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)), Opisthorchis sinensis (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)) , Parasites (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)), Parasitology Examination (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)), Sarcocystis (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)), Schistosomiasis (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)), Strongyloides (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History)) , Trichrome Stain (Ova & Parasite Exam, Fecal (Immunocompromised or Travel History))