Test Name: OVA AND PARASITE EXAM (STOOL)
Test Code: 2135734
Alias: LAB955
Stool O & P
CPT Code(s): 87177   87209  
Test Includes:

Stool concentration and wet mount exam

Trichrome stain
Preferred Specimen:

Stool (feces)
Container:

Alpha Tec Proto-fix (white cap) preservative vial
Alternate Container: Fresh stool in a sterile leak-proof container (should reach the Lab within one hour after collection).
Minimum Volume: Add specimen up to the red line as indicated on stool collection vial.
Collection Instructions:

Do not refrigerate. Specimen should be submitted in stool O&P preservative vial. Mix sample well. Fresh stool specimens in a sterile leak-proof container can be submitted and should reach the lab within 1 hour after collection.


Refer to separate patient instructions for detailed stool ova and parasites collection.


For patient safety, dropping off specimens requires a full registration process and verification of proper specimen collection.
Transport Temperature:

Room temperature
Stability:

Room temperature: Indefinite (stool placed in preservative vial)
Rejection Criteria:

Refrigerated specimens

Non-preserved specimens collected more than one hour prior to receipt in laboratory.

Specimen sent in formalin. 

Specimen sent in PVNA.

Specimen sent in SAF preservative.
Limitations:

Stool specimens must be placed in a Proto-fix vial. The appropriate volume of sample is up to the red fill line on the preservative vial with approximately 13-15 ml of fixative. Always mix the sample well.

Fresh stool specimens kept at room temperature and brought to the Lab within one hour after collection can be placed in fixative.

Per literature review, stool specimens for ova and parasite testing from inpatients hospitalized longer than 3 days yield very few positive results.  However, the test may be run if the physician notifies the Microbiology Lab verbally that there is a special reason for the request (for example if patient was traveling or had food brought to hospital from outside).
Schedule: Set up: Mon- Fri; Results in 1-3 days
Method:

Stool concentration, isolation and microscopic examination.
Clinical Significance: The detection and identification of small numbers of helminth eggs and protozoa from large volumes of feces is of critical importance in the diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections.  The use of concentration procedures virtually ensures the detection of even small numbers of these organisms.  The Alpha-Tec CONSED stool concentration reagents allow all stages and all forms of eggs and parasites to be concentrated and then detected by wet mount microscopic observation. 
Use:

For hospital use only: 

2133303 O&P, non-stool specimens (duodenal aspirate, liver abscess, sputum, urine)

updated 1/8/25
Reference Ranges: Negative for ova and parasites.

The CPT codes included in this publication are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are provided here for the convenience of our clients; however, correct coding often varies from one carrier to another, and HealthLab may bill specific carriers using codes other than those shown. Clients who bill for services should verify the code(s) with the applicable payor to confirm that their use is appropriate in each case.
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