July, 2007

Case 207:
Images captured from a trichrome stained smear were submitted to DPDx for diagnostic assistance.  The smears were made from a polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) preserved fecal specimen, but no other patient or specimen information was given.  The submitter wanted confirmation for one parasite they had identified and was not sure of the other organism observed on the smear.  Figures A-C show the objects in question under 1000× magnification.  All images were cropped to the same dimensions by DPDx.  What is your diagnosis?  Based on what criteria?  What valuable information would have been useful if provided?

A	B

C

Click here for the answer to Case 207.

Case 208:
A 29-year-old Peace Corp volunteer returned to the United States from Malawi with symptoms that included mild gastrointestinal cramping and intermittent blood in his urine.  He sought medical care and the physician ordered a battery of tests including ova and parasite examinations on stool and urine specimens.  Figure A shows what was observed on a wet mount of urine sediment.  The object was approximately 150 micrometers in length.  What is your diagnosis?  Based on what criteria?

A

Click here for the answer to Case 208.

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.