Case #495 – July, 2019

A 68-year-old female with microscopic hematuria had a cystoscopy performed. A pathologist detected objects on hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stained slides (Figures A–E) and on Papanicolaou stained slides of urine sediment (Figures F–I). A parasitic infection was suspected and images of the objects were captured and sent to DPDx for diagnostic assistance; the objects had a size range of 75-80 micrometers. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?

This case was kindly provided by the Department of Pathology, Cork University Hospital, Ireland.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

Figure J

Figure K

The objects are pollen and represent a contamination of the specimen from the environment. Typically only a few helminth eggs are passed in urine such as Schistosoma haematobium. Another helminth egg passed in urine is Dioctophyme renale (Figures J and K), which these pollen spore somewhat resemble. Morphologic features presented in this case were:

a size range of 75-80 micrometers; by coincidence, the range for D. renale is 60-80 micrometers
net-like, sculpted surface (Figure I)
presence of a furrow (sulcus)
presence of a tube nucleus and/or a generative nucleus

More on artifacts: https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/artifacts/index.html

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/.

Page last reviewed: September 11, 2019

Content source: Global Health, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria