This week's interesting case was donated by Dr. Karine Thievierge and Alexandra. The following structures were seen in a stool specimen. They measure between 110 - 140 micrometers in length, by 75 - 90 micrometers in width. Identification?
Monday, February 22, 2021
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Answer to Case 627
Answer to the Parasite Case of the Week 627: Mite eggs; finding is not of medical concern
Mites and their eggs may occasionally be found in human stool specimens, given that mites are all around us - in dust, on our skin, and in our food! (check out my previous case of the week on Cheese Mites). Although mite eggs resemble those of some human parasites (e.g., the human hookworms), they are usually larger, and there is often evidence of an immature mite inside, as seen in this case:
Monday, February 15, 2021
Case of the Week 626
This week's post is from my own collection - A Giemsa-stained preparation of vaginal secretions from a woman with dyspareunia. The objects measure approximately 15-20 micrometers in maximum dimension.
Identification?
On a related topic, I had the privilege of recording a podcast with Dennis Strenk, the founder and voice of the People of Pathology Podcast. You can listen to our podcast here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0q2wPe3NdMB4T9YkECP8Y5?si=4AfWDZHqQoS0ph-QZXtiig
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Answer to Case 626
Answer to the Parasite Case of the Week 626: Trichomonas vaginalis. The images from this case show the classic morphology of this organism. Here are some of these key diagnostic features:
Although T. vaginalis can be seen in vaginal secretions, male urethral secretions, and in urine, the most sensitive detection method is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). This is what we use in my laboratory. Importantly, the NAAT we use does not cross-react with the other trichomonads found in the oral cavity and intestine.
As Sam mentioned, "Treatment with metronidazole would be appropriate. This would be of concern if the patient was pregnant as T. vaginalis can cause premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, and decreased birth weights." T. vaginalis can also increase the risk of HIV transmission, so treatment is indicated even if the patient is asymptomatic.
Thanks to all who wrote in with comments!
Monday, February 8, 2021
Case of the Week 625
This week's case was generously donated by Dr. Marijo Roiko, Dr. Shifteh Vahidi, and Ms. Marnie Larsen. Marnie noticed the unusual structure shown in the image below in a urine cytology specimen from an elderly male with a history of hematuria. The structure in the image was observed on PAP stain and was a solitary finding; it measures 125 x 75 µm.
Sunday, February 7, 2021
Answer to Case 625
Answer to the Parasite Case of the Week 625: Not a parasite; rotifer
This fascinating "wheel animal" (from Latin rota "wheel" and -fer "bearing") has been seen a couple of times in the past on this blog. Check out our previous cases with great photos and videos:
Case 517 (unstained with video)
Case 304 (another Pap-stained case)
Here are some of the diagnostic features in this case: