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Case #420 – May, 2016

Sputum specimens were collected for routine microbiological work-up on an 18-year-old patient from Myanmar who presented with cavitary lung disease. The patient also had international travel to Malaysia and within the United States had visited Illinois, Indiana, and New York. During the examination of a wet mount of the sputum, suspicious objects were observed by the attending microbiologist (Figures A and B). The objects of interest measured on average 88 micrometers long by 43 micrometers wide. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?

Figure A

Figure B

This case and images were kindly provided by the Indiana State Department of Health, Indianapolis, IN.

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