Case #318 – February, 2012
A patient with travel to Mexico presented to his local public health facility with general abdominal discomfort. A stool specimen was collected and processed using the formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) procedure. A wet mount was prepared and examined. Digital images were captured at 1000x oil magnification and sent to DPDx for consultation. Figures A–D show the objects of interest, which measured 12-15 micrometers in length. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?
Figure A
Figure B
Figure C
Figure D
This case and images were kindly provided by the Washington State Public Health Laboratory.
Images presented in the DPDx case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.
DPDx is an educational resource designed for health professionals and laboratory scientists. For an overview including prevention, control, and treatment visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/.