Gastrointestinal parasitic disease

Focused detection of intestinal parasites

A variety of different parasites can be found in stool specimens and other intestinal specimens. These parasites may include protozoa (microscopic unicellular eukaryotes) and helminths (worms). A focused approach to testing is the best way to identify the type of parasite present in a sample. Infection is often asymptomatic, but symptoms range from diarrhea and malnutrition to intestinal obstruction, and rarely, death. The most common intestinal reported parasites in stool specimens are the Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium species.