Stool Test For Pinworms
Pinworms are thin and white measuring about 1 4 to 1 2 inch about 6 to 13 millimeters in length.
Stool test for pinworms. Found in the colon and rectum the pinworm infection develops from a pinworms egg. This test consists of taking a piece of cellophane tape and pressing the sticky adhesive side against the skin around. An abnormal test result means that parasites eggs or both have been found in your stool sample. Pinworms are small thin pin shaped worms that sometimes live in the human colon and rectum.
While the infected person sleeps female pinworms lay thousands of eggs in the folds of skin surrounding the anus. Serologic tests are not available for diagnosing pinworm infections. Stool studies for ova and parasites o p continue to be a mainstay of diagnosis despite only low to moderate sensitivity. When you touch the eggs with your fingers the eggs will enter your mouth and travel to your intestines.
Since pinworm eggs and worms are often sparse in stool examining stool samples is not recommended. Stool specimens are not satisfactory for pinworm studies. A tape test is the most reliable method for diagnosing a pinworm infection. Examinations on multiple days may be required to diagnose infection.
Pinworm infection is the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the united states and one of the most common worldwide. Parasitic infections in the united states are rare but can be caused by. Examination for pinworm only. Your doctor can confirm the presence of pinworms by identifying the worms or eggs.
As soon as the person you suspect has pinworms wakes up and before he or she uses the toilet washes or gets dressed press the adhesive side of a piece of transparent tape to the skin around. This test has recently fallen out of favor18 because an e. One negative result does not rule out possibility of parasitic infestation. How it is transmitted.
Any pinworm eggs will stick to the tape which your doctor can see under a microscope in a lab. A tapeworm infection is usually diagnosed by finding eggs or tapeworm segments in the stool. A pinworm infection is an intestinal illness that s very common in elementary school aged children.