April, 2002

Case 81
A stool specimen from a 20-year-old man was sent to the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory for examination.  An FEA (formalin-ethyl acetate) concentration was performed and wet mounts prepared for examination.  The objects seen in the images were present in moderate numbers and ranged in size from 33 to 40 micrometers (Figures A and B).  The specimen also contained several larger objects that were forwarded to CDC for identification.  The objects averaged 1 centimeter in length.  The images show one of the submitted objects after clearing with lacto phenol solution, before (Figure C) and after injecting with ink (Figure D).  What is your diagnosis?  Based on what criteria?

A	B

C	D

Acknowledgement: This case was kindly provided by the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory. 

Click here for the answer to Case 81.

Case 82
A 29-year-old man who is a chef, was seen by a physician for diarrhea.  The images shown below were taken from a modified acid-fast stain.  The size of the objects in the smear ranged from 7.7 to 10 micrometers in diameter.  The specimen was collected in January 2002 along with specimens from three other patients.  What is your diagnosis?  Based on what criteria?

A	B

C

Acknowledgement: This case was kindly provided by the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory.

Click here for the answer to Case 82.

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.