Nematode Infections Workup

  • Author: Murat Hökelek, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Burke A Cunha, MD   more...
 
Updated: Dec 5, 2011
 

Laboratory Studies

  • Stool examination for intestinal nematodes using native, zinc sulfate flotation, or formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques
    • Based on characteristics of eggs or larvae in stool or adult worm, if passed
    • Cellophane-tape impression for pinworms
  • Examination of larvae or adult worms taken from the tissue, characteristic microfilariae on blood smear, eosinophilia
  • Filariasis - Membrane filtration technique, Knott technique, and thick blood smear (Giemsa stained)
  • Distinction of species by larval examination - Challenging and may require expert examination
  • Onchocerciasis - Identified by skin snip/biopsy showing larvae
  • Toxocariasis - Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and, occasionally, biopsy
  • Trichinosis - Muscle biopsy and ELISA
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Imaging Studies

  • Larvae in sputum or adult worms observed on radiologic studies (uncommon)
  • Lung radiography for Löeffler syndrome
  • Ultrasonography - Useful in the diagnosis of ascariasis as a cause of biliary tract disease
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Other Tests

  • Onchocerciasis: Skin snip, nodulectomy, slit-lamp examination, and Mazzotti test are helpful.
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Histologic Findings

Characteristic eggs, worms, or larvae in tissue

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Murat Hökelek, MD, PhD  Technical Consultant of Parasitology Laboratory, Professor, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School, Turkey

Murat Hökelek, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Turkish Society for Parasitology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Larry I Lutwick, MD  Professor of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical School; Director, Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Health Care System, Brooklyn Campus

Larry I Lutwick, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Arnold C Cua, MD  Physician, Department of Infectious Diseases, Renown Medical Center

Arnold C Cua, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Joseph Richard Masci, MD  Professor of Medicine, Professor of Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Director of Medicine, Elmhurst Hospital Center

Joseph Richard Masci, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, Association of Professors of Medicine, and Royal Society of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Ronald A Greenfield, MD  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Ronald A Greenfield, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, American Society for Microbiology, Central Society for Clinical Research, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Medical Mycology Society of the Americas, Phi Beta Kappa, Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, and Southwestern Association of Clinical Microbiology

Disclosure: Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Gilead Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Ortho McNeil Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Abbott Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Astellas Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Cubist Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Forest Pharmaceuticals Speaking and teaching

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD  Clinical and Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Burke A Cunha, MD  Professor of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook; Chief, Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital

Burke A Cunha, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Strongyloides eggs in native examination from feces of a newborn.
Ascaris lumbricoides egg in feces (formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation method).
A typical Trichuris trichiura egg in feces.
 
 
 
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