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Case #237 – October, 2008

A 28-year-old man had loss of appetite, weight loss, and intermittent diarrhea approximately one week after attending a family reunion located on a farm in the mid-western U.S. He sought medical attention with his primary care provider who collected a stool specimen for ova and parasite (O&P) examination using a single-vial fixative system. A stool smear was prepared, stained with trichrome, and examined at 1000x magnification. The objects shown in Figures AD were observed in moderate numbers. Objects in Figures C and D were 12 and 15 micrometers in diameter respectively. The object in Figure E was 4 micrometers in diameter. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

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/.