Faeces for ova, cysts and parasites

Description: 
Faeces for Ova, cysts and parasites (OCP). It is useful to add sufficient travel history to the clinical details for the returning traveller. Note that for some parasites the excretion is cyclical and might require several OCP samples e.g. Giardia lamblia. Turn around time 2-3 days. This test is not performed on weekends. Microsporidia infection is associated with chronic diarrhoea in AIDS patients, in the abscence of other enteric pathogens and a low CD4 count. Microsporidiun investigation is not part of the normal OCP investigation, therefore please indicate specifically if clinically indicated. Microsporidium investigations are sent to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine reference laboratory, turn around time for this test 2 weeks.
Clinical details: 
Three samples collected on separate days may be necessary to help exclude some parasitic infections
Related condition or disease: 
diarrhoea
Synonyms or keywords: 
Parasitic infection, worms
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Faeces for OCP
2gm or 2ml of diarrhoeal faeces in a sterile universal container white top or blue top (with a scoop forming part of the lid).
Please specify if Microsporidia is suspected.
Turnaround time: 
2-3 days for OCP (this test is not performed at weekends) Microsporidium investigations are sent to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine reference laboratory, turn around time for this test 2 weeks.
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). Samples should be refrigerated if transport to the laboratory is delayed.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Microbiology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 27/11/2017