Case #242 - December, 2008

A nine-year-old boy from Central America, who had recently immigrated to the United States with his family, was taken to a local health facility with complaints of intestinal cramping and intermittent diarrhea. A stool specimen was obtained for ova and parasite (O&P) testing. A formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) concentration was performed. The following figures show what was observed on a wet mount prepared from the concentrate. Figure A was taken at 100x magnification; Figures B–D at 400x magnification (Figures B and C are of the same field but in different planes of focus). The large objects of interest measured approximately 52 micrometers in length by 22 micrometers in width. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?

Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.