October, 2004

Case 141:
An 10-year-old boy was taken to his pediatrician due to intestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, after he returned home from summer camp.  The physician requested several exams, including an ova and parasite (O & P) examination; the stool specimen was tested at a commercial laboratory where a concentration method was performed and wet-mount slide examined.  One of the exams ordered by the physician was positive for a bacterial agent.  However the objects seen in Figures A and B (magnification 400×) were observed in the stool samples in low numbers.  Please provide a complete identification of the objects in the images.

A	B

Click here for the answer to Case 141.

Case 142:
A 41-year-old man traveled to Tanzania and Kenya.  Within two weeks of his return, he went to his health care provider with complaints of intermittent fevers, malaise, and headaches.  His travel history also indicated he had visited several South American countries before his trip to Africa.  The doctor ordered a blood smear and instructed the man to wait for the results.  The smear was stained with Giemsa and examined.  Figures A-D show what was observed on the smear.  What is your diagnosis?  Based on what criteria?

A	B

C	D

Click here for the answer to Case 142.

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.