Intestinal Worms (Online CE Course)

Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1.5 hour(s) Approved through 9/30/2025

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General (Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology): 1.5 hour(s) Approved through 9/30/2025

Objectives

• Recall and briefly describe each of the common helminth (worm) parasites found in human feces.
• Describe how a patient gets infected by each of the intestinal parasites based on the worm's life cycle.
• Identify microscopic images of each parasite based on diagnostic criteria.
• Describe clinical signs and symptoms caused by each helminth parasite.
• Describe appropriate specimens, as well as specimen collection, processing, and methods of microscopic examination.
• Describe other diagnostic methods besides microscopic examination.
• Recognize those helminth species in which the human can host the larval phase in their tissues.

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Course Outline

• Introduction to the Helminth (Worm) Parasites found in Human Feces.
• The World of Parasites
• Classification of the Helminths Found in the Gastrointestinal Tract
• Classification of the Intestinal Helminths, continued
• Diagnostic Techniques: The O&P Exam
• Other Techniques for Diagnosing Intestinal Helminths
• Match the common name with the scientific name.
• You receive a stool specimen for O&P in 10% formalin. All of the following procedures can be performed from this specimen EXCEPT:
• The Trematodes (Flukes)
• Classification of the Trematodes
• Morphology of the Flukes
• Life Cycles of the Flukes (Trematodes) Living in the Intestinal Tract
• Life Cycles of the Flukes Living in the Biliary System and Lungs
• Life Cycles of Schistosoma spp. Living in the Veins
• Diagnosing the Trematodes
• Diagnosing the Trematodes, continued
• Comparison of the Trematode Egg Sizes
• Clinical Symptoms and Treatments of the Flukes
• Match the identification with the image of the egg.
• The following are common among all flukes EXCEPT:
• An O&P is ordered on a patient with abdominal discomfort and diarrhea, who had just returned from a trip to Asia. A microscopic exam is done on th...
• The Cestodes (Tapeworms)
• Classification of the Cestodes
• Morphology of the Tapeworms
• Life Cycles of the Tapeworms
• Life Cycles of the Tapeworms, continued
• Diagnosing the Tapeworms
• Clinical Symptoms and Treatment of Tapeworms
• Match the identification with the image of the egg.
• An O&P is performed on a child who complains of a "tummy ache." The child has not traveled outside of the area. Several of these structures are se...
• Match the name of the tapeworm with the name of its larval form.
• The Nematodes (roundworms)
• Classification of the Nematodes
• Classification of the Nematodes, continued
• Life Cycles of Nematodes
• Life Cycles of Nematodes, continued
• Diagnosing the Intestinal Nematodes
• Clinical Symptoms and Treatment of Intestinal Nematodes
• Many of the nematodes' life cycles require water for the development of their eggs or larvae.
• A child is suspected of having a pinworm infection. What type of specimen should be ordered, and what would you look for?
• Several eggs similar to the one in the image were seen on a formalin-ethyl acetate concentrate done on a child with abdominal pain. The child lives in...
• Summary and More Hints on Diagnosing Intestinal Worms
• Importance of Size
• Importance of Proper Specimen Collection
• Artifacts
• All of the following are recommended fixatives for performing concentration techniques on stool specimens EXCEPT:
• This structure is seen when examining a direct wet prep. It measures approx. 98 x 60 µm. How would you identify it?
• References
• References

Additional Information