Faecal microscopy – sorting the parasites from the crap

Despite increasing use of molecular diagnostics in clinical parasitology laboratories, a mainstay faecal remains microscopy by capable microbiologist. With decreasing rates parasitic infection high income nations such as Australia, the opportunity to regularly see elements faeces is decreasing. At times, unusual or suspicious may be observed smears. An important skill for all conducting able determine when these represent parasite egg, larva, cyst, oocyst trophozoite, an unimportant artifact. This lecture will discuss artifacts stool and provide logical approach investigation if they true parasites, spurious non-parasitic elements.