July, 2006

Case 183:
A family visited different U.S. states during a one week vacation.  Approximately eight days after their trip, two family members began experiencing diarrhea.  They went to their family physician and reported that while they were traveling they swam in hotel pools and at a waterpark.  The physician requested stool samples for an ova and parasite (O & P) examination, along with other testing.  The samples collected for the O & P were preserved in 10% formalin and then sent for examination.  Figure A shows rounded objects seen on a modified acid-fast stained slide made from a formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) concentrate of one of the specimens.  The same objects were seen in specimens from the other family member who was ill.  The objects measured 4.5-5.5 micrometers in diameter.  What is your diagnosis?   Based on what criteria?

A

Click here for the answer to Case 183.

Case 184:
A patient went to a local hospital with fevers and thrombocytopenia after recent travel to Haiti.  A blood smear examination was requested by the attending physician.  Figure A shows what was seen on a Wrights-Giemsa stained thin blood smear; the image was taken in a thicker area of the smear and low numbers of these objects were found in the smears.  What is your diagnosis?  Based on what criteria?

A

Click here for the answer to Case 184.

Acknowledgement: This case was kindly contributed by the Florida State Public Health Laboratory, Miami Regional laboratory.

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.