Section 7 : Parasitic Diagnosis

Abstract:

Diagnosis of most parasitic infections has traditionally been made by the microscopic examination of clinical material. This requires that highly trained technologists spend a significant amount of time examining individual specimens. In recent years, immunoassays have been developed to detect the more common parasites (e.g., Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium parvum). This section summarizes the tests currently available for the laboratory diagnosis of the most common parasitic infections. Table 7.1 lists detection methods for parasites. Microscopy contains different Stains which includes acid-fast trichrome chromotrope stain, calcofluor white stain and delafield's hematoxylin stain. Specific diagnostic tests were performed for free-living amebae, intestinal and urogenital protozoa, blood and tissue protozoa. Table 7.2 includes trophozoites of common intestinal amebae. Table 7.3 presents cysts of common mtestinal amebae. Table 7.4 is on trophozoites of flagellates. Table 7.5 is about cysts of flagellates. Table 7.6 offers morphological characteristics of ciliates, coccidia, microsporidia, and tissue protozoa. Table 7.7 lists morphological characteristics of protozoa found in blood. Table 7.8 provides morphological characteristics of blood and tissue nematodes. Table 7.9 is on morphological characteristics of helminths. Table 7.10 is key to identification of common arthropods.