Giardia lamblia, Direct Detection EIA

Additional Information:

UFHPL Epic order code: LAB259

CPT Code(s):

87329

Collection Procedure:

Fecal specimens for parasitic examination should be collected before initiation of antidiarrheal therapy or antiparasitic therapy. The highest yield on hospitalized patients occurs when diarrhea is present on admission or within 72 hours of admission. The onset of diarrhea more than 72 hours after admission is usually caused by Clostridium difficile toxin, rather than parasites or the usual stool pathogens.
The following recommendations are made for efficient and cost-effective diagnosis of diarrheal disease in patients admitted with gastroenteritis:

  • Submit one or two specimens per diarrheal illness immediately.
  • If EIAs are negative, request add-on testing for Ova and Parasites Examination and submit an additional stool specimen after five days for the test.

Specimen Requirements:

Type: Stool
Container/Tube:
  • Ova and parasite (O&P) transport vial with formalin (Para-Pak® pink; preferred);
  • Stool culture and sensitivity (C&S) transport vial with Cary Blair medium (Para-Pak® orange); or
  • Sterile screw-cap container or Para-Pak® white
    • Other container types often leak or even explode during transport and may be rejected by the laboratory.
Sample Volume:

  • Stool: 2 g
  • Liquid Stool: 2 mL
Minimum Volume

  • Stool: 2 g
  • Liquid Stool: 2 mL stool in the formalin portion of an O&P transport kit
Storage:

  • Specimens kept in an O&P transport with formalin at room temperature or refrigerated and tested within two months of collection.
  • Stool collected in Cary Blair medium should be refrigerated or frozen and tested within one week of collection.
  • Stool in sterile container should be frozen, or it can be kept refrigerated if tested within 48 hours.
Rejection Criteria:

  • Inappropriate specimen transport device
  • Specimens in PVA
  • Specimens received other than described
  • Inadequate labeling
  • Specimen received after prolonged delay

Use:

This test is used to quickly detect Giardia lamblia from clinical samples.

Contraindications

Do not collect specimens for one week after the patient undergoes a barium or laxative administration.

Methodology:

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)

Reference Values:

Negative

Performed:

Monday - Friday