Specimen Requirements

Stool

Portion (minimum volume:  5 mL) of a fresh, liquid stool specimen. It is strongly recommended that multiple specimens be submitted for ova and parasite analysis. At least 3 specimens should be collected, 1 each day. Worms or worm segments should be placed separately in 70% alcohol if possible.

Note:  Specimen should arrive ambient in laboratory within 2 hours of collection. Please send in sterile cup.  Do not sent O & P vials home with the patient for collection. State Health Laboratory will reject if specimen is in the wrong vial or if the vial is overfilled.This test requires about 10 ml of sample; diapers are unacceptable for this test.  Please consider Crypto/Giardia test if unable to obtain proper volume.

Urine for Schistosomiasis

Specimen should arrive in laboratory within 24 hours of collection to maintain the integrity of potential parasites.

10 mL from a random urine collection in a plastic, screw-capped urine container supplied, preferably collected between the hours of 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. Do not use preservatives. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.