Strongyloides stercoralis – Faeces/other Effluents

Conformément au Règlement de l’Ontario 671/92 de la Loi sur les services en français, les renseignements d’analyses de laboratoire liés à la présente page ne sont offerts qu’en anglais parce qu’ils sont de nature scientifique ou technique et destinés uniquement à l’usage des fournisseurs de soins de santé qualifiés et non aux membres du public.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested Required Requisition(s) Specimen Type Minimum Volume Collection Kit

Ova and parasites1

Faeces4,5

As per Kit instructions

Parasitology Kit Order #390033

Ova and parasites1

Bronchial washings, sputum, urine and CSF6

N/A

Sterile container

Submission and Collection Notes

1

The suspected organism may be included under the ‘Test Description’.

2

Please note on the requisition (under other): If the patient has Eosinophilia, HIV, is immunocompromised, has a critical illness or was admitted to ICU, or had a previous parasitic infection.

3

Indicate Country/Region and if the patient is a new immigrant or refugee or returned traveler under ‘Travel’ section of the requisition. It is imperative that the foreign country be identified.

4

Collect a sample in each white top and yellow top (SAF) vial of the Parasitology Kit. Follow the collection instructions on the instruction sheet provided with the Parasitology Kit.

5

Collect one specimen every day for total of three days.

6

If disseminated Strongyloidiasis is suspected, submit bronchial washings, sputum and urine samples in a sterile container in addition to faeces. CSF is also an acceptable specimen.

Limitations

Anti-diarrhoeal medication, radiological dyes (barium) and antibiotics interfere with the identification of intestinal protozoa as well as helminths and coccidians.

Storage and Transport

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay. 

Place specimen container in a biohazard bag and seal. Reminder: Store the yellow capped container at room temperature at all times. The white capped container must be refrigerated before submission or frozen if there is a delay of more than 72 hours.

Special Instructions

Follow the instruction found in the updated Para Kit Instructioin sheet.

Collect faeces in clean dry container and immediately transfer a portion of the sample to the:

  • White Cap sterile container and then emulsify another portion in the 
  • SAF preservative in the Yellow top container (Mix 1 part faeces with 3 parts SAF or 1 part liquid faeces with 1 part SAF).

The submission of the white top container will allow for method development of newer and more sensitive methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to obtain improved species identification.

Requisitions and Kit Ordering

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

Stronglyloides stercoralis – Faeces/other Effluents testing is performed Monday to Friday.

Turnaround time is up to 5 days from receipt by the PHO laboratory.

For suspected cases of disseminated Strongyloidiasis, specimens are reported out on the same day.

Test Methods

Specimens for Strongyloides are examined by microscopy by preparing a smear and concentrate following a centrifugation procedure using the Formalin/Ethyl-acetate method. The concentration method allows for detection of small numbers of organisms.

Strongyloides can also be diagnosed serologically.

Reporting

Results are reported to the ordering physician or health care provider as indicated on the requisition.

Mis à jour le 27 janv. 2021