CLSI M28
Procedures for the Recovery and Identification of Parasites From the Intestinal Tract
This CLSI guideline provides essential guidance on the collection, processing, and examination of intestinal tract specimens to accurately detect and identify parasitic infections. Because treatment is typically not initiated without confirmation of the specific causative agent, reliable laboratory methods are crucial for effective diagnosis and patient care.
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{{FormatPrice(nonMemberPrice)}} List PriceThe diagnosis of parasites from the intestinal tract depends on the recovery and identification of the etiologic agents. Therefore, the ability to collect, process, and examine fecal specimens is important in terms of clinical relevance and patient care. Parasitic infections are not normally treated without demonstration of the specific causative agent. Thus, the ability to recover and identify these organisms is an important part of the overall microbiological responsibilities of the diagnostic laboratory.1,2 Communication of instructions to the patient, specimen collection and handling techniques, diagnostic tests, and result reporting are key components in proper patient management. Major sections of this document cover these topics, as well as equipment, reagents, and specific techniques used in diagnosing intestinal parasitic infections.
The CLSI Working Group on Recovery/Identification of Parasites From the Intestinal Tract has revised the document to the second edition of the approved guideline. Last published in December of 1997, the document now includes the following enhancements:
- Newer technologies have been addressed. Diagnostic kits that detect specific organism antigens are discussed.
- Appropriate definitions are now included.
- Additional modified acid-fast staining techniques for the identification of intestinal coccidia have been added to the document.
- Additional modified trichrome staining methods for the identification of intestinal microsporidia are now included.
- The section on fecal immunoassays and gene probes has been greatly expanded to include the newer diagnostic options.
- Additional information on chemofluorescent agents has been added.
- Specific ordering options, including the routine O&P examination and fecal immunoassays, have been included to serve as guidelines for clinician ordering recommendations.
Comments submitted on the first edition of the approved M28 document are addressed in an appendix in this publication. The working group urges the reader to send constructive suggestions for improving this document to CLSI so that we can evaluate the practical usefulness of the document to members of the healthcare community. We look forward to receiving comments and to the reader’s active participation in the CLSI consensus process.
This guideline is intended to provide the readers with standardized procedures used for the recovery and identification of parasites from the intestinal tract. The intended audience includes those on the health care team, including laboratorians, microbiologists, parasitologists, doctors, public health personnel, and those in academic settings who are involved in teaching diagnostic medical parasitology.
The document is not intended to provide didactic training related to human parasite life cycles, organism morphology, clinical disease, pathogenesis, treatment, or epidemiology and prevention. However, the procedures provided are very comprehensive and discuss in detail the actual method, procedure notes, and limitations, and information related to quality control and reporting of results.
This document is available in electronic format only.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has evaluated and recognized this approved-level consensus standard for use in satisfying a regulatory requirement.
This archived document is no longer being reviewed through the CLSI Consensus Document Development Process. However, this document is technically valid and because of its value to the laboratory community, it is being retained in CLSI’s library.
The diagnosis of parasites from the intestinal tract depends on the recovery and identification of the etiologic agents. Therefore, the ability to collect, process, and examine fecal specimens is important in terms of clinical relevance and patient care. Parasitic infections are not normally treated without demonstration of the specific causative agent. Thus, the ability to recover and identify these organisms is an important part of the overall microbiological responsibilities of the diagnostic laboratory.1,2 Communication of instructions to the patient, specimen collection and handling techniques, diagnostic tests, and result reporting are key components in proper patient management. Major sections of this document cover these topics, as well as equipment, reagents, and specific techniques used in diagnosing intestinal parasitic infections.
The CLSI Working Group on Recovery/Identification of Parasites From the Intestinal Tract has revised the document to the second edition of the approved guideline. Last published in December of 1997, the document now includes the following enhancements:
- Newer technologies have been addressed. Diagnostic kits that detect specific organism antigens are discussed.
- Appropriate definitions are now included.
- Additional modified acid-fast staining techniques for the identification of intestinal coccidia have been added to the document.
- Additional modified trichrome staining methods for the identification of intestinal microsporidia are now included.
- The section on fecal immunoassays and gene probes has been greatly expanded to include the newer diagnostic options.
- Additional information on chemofluorescent agents has been added.
- Specific ordering options, including the routine O&P examination and fecal immunoassays, have been included to serve as guidelines for clinician ordering recommendations.
Comments submitted on the first edition of the approved M28 document are addressed in an appendix in this publication. The working group urges the reader to send constructive suggestions for improving this document to CLSI so that we can evaluate the practical usefulness of the document to members of the healthcare community. We look forward to receiving comments and to the reader’s active participation in the CLSI consensus process.
This guideline is intended to provide the readers with standardized procedures used for the recovery and identification of parasites from the intestinal tract. The intended audience includes those on the health care team, including laboratorians, microbiologists, parasitologists, doctors, public health personnel, and those in academic settings who are involved in teaching diagnostic medical parasitology.
The document is not intended to provide didactic training related to human parasite life cycles, organism morphology, clinical disease, pathogenesis, treatment, or epidemiology and prevention. However, the procedures provided are very comprehensive and discuss in detail the actual method, procedure notes, and limitations, and information related to quality control and reporting of results.
This document is available in electronic format only.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has evaluated and recognized this approved-level consensus standard for use in satisfying a regulatory requirement.
This archived document is no longer being reviewed through the CLSI Consensus Document Development Process. However, this document is technically valid and because of its value to the laboratory community, it is being retained in CLSI’s library.