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| Organization: | Alberta Precision Laboratories | ||
| Test Name/Synonym: | Stool Parasite Screen (Synonym: Stool Parasite PCR, Stool parasite NAT, Enteric Parasite, Enteric parasite panel, Cryptosporidium, Cryptosporidiosis, Giardia, Giardiasis, Entamoeba histolytica, Amoebiasis, Amoebic dysentery, Protozoa PCR, Parasitic Diarrhea, Feces Ova and Parasite, O&P, O and P, OandP, OP) | ||
| Test Includes: | Diarrheal stool specimens are screened using BD MAX™ Enteric Parasite Panel, a Health Canada approved polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that detects Giardia species, Cryptosporidium hominis/parvum and Entamoeba histolytica. These pathogens make up a significant majority of the parasitic infections causing diarrhea encountered in clinical practice. Microscopic examination for additional parasites is only performed if appropriate clinical history is provided and specimens with and without SAF fixative are received. See Stool Parasite Microscopy | ||
| LABID (Connect Care): | LAB258 | ||
| Specimen Type: | Stool Swab | ||
| Specimen Source: | Stool Stoma Rectal (Swab): Calgary and South Zone only | ||
| Primary Container: | SAF fixative transport device – PLUS – a 60 mL sterile, plastic container Note:
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| Specimen Collection Requirements: | Patient Instructions - Stool Parasite Screen and Ova and Parasite Stool Collection PX26-01.720 Note: If Ova and Parasite microscopic examination is also requested, a collection kit is required and Parasite History Form must be completed (or additional history provided with Epic order). See Stool Parasite Microscopy Avoid laxative, antibiotics, anti-diarrheal drugs, or enemas before collecting stool specimens. Stool must not be contaminated with urine, water, or other contaminants (mineral oil, vagisil, nystatin cream, spermicidal lubricant). Only submit one stool specimen initially, regardless of patient’s clinical circumstances. As this is a PCR test, unlike microscopy, repeat testing is not required. For hospitalized patients, testing will only be performed if symptom onset occurred within the first four days of admission. | ||
| Test Resources: | Order in Epic, or use Community Microbiology Requisition - 20571 | ||
| Stability and Storage: | Refrigerate | ||
| Method and Interpretation of Results: | PCR is more sensitive than microscopy. As PCR detects the presence of nucleic acid, PCR-positive results may represent current infection, past/resolving infection, treated infection or colonization. As with all testing, false positive and false negative results may occur. Correlation with clinical picture is required. | ||
| Testing Area: | Microbiology | ||
| Performing Site: | Calgary Diagnostic and Scientific Centre (for Calgary and South Zones) Edmonton Base Lab (for Edmonton, Central and North Zones) | ||
| Additional Test Information: | All positive stool culture results are reported to the Regional Public Health Office, the ordering physician, and Infection Control, when applicable. Specimens will not be processed if:
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| Last Updated On: | Thursday, September 4, 2025 | ||
| Registered Trademark Comments: | BD MAX is a trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company or its affiliates. COPAN FecalSwab is a trademark of Copan Italia S.p.A. | ||
