AC-08. Beyond the Routine O&P!
Originally Presented: August 20, 2008
Speaker: Julie Ribes and Brent Barrett

Summary of Session: Many laboratories are trying to move beyond the standard O&P with it’s trichrome and concentrate or the classic thick and thin films for malaria examination. Although looked at as the gold standard, many labs cannot devote the time or maintain the expertise to do these very labor-intensive and expertise-requiring examinations. What are your options beside sending out this testing? This session will cover the benefits and drawbacks to enzyme immuno assays (EIA) and immunofluorescent assay (IFA) commercially available to detect the most common parasitic pathogens seen in most laboratories, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Entamoeba histolytica, and Plasmodium species. Perhaps your laboratory is interested in doing more than just the routine O&P. We will discuss additional staining and microscopic techniques used to detect microsporidial and coccidian organisms in clinical specimens. We will also present a discussion of those diseases for which serology and PCR may be helpful.

Objectives: Upon completion of this Teleconference, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to enzyme immunoassays used to detect blood and stool parasites
• List those parasitic diseases where serology or PCR contributes significantly to making a diagnosis
• Recommend special staining or microscopic techniques required for identifying coccidian and microsporidial agents in clinical specimens

Intended Audience: Clinical Microbiologists, Medical Technologists, Med Tech students, Pathologists and Pathology Residents

CME Disclosures: The Presenter has nothing to disclose.

Termination of CME Credit: This program will not be eligible for CME/CE credit after August 20, 2009