Answer to Case 794

Answer to the Parasite Case of the Week 794: Winged insect, likely contaminant.

Many of you asked if this could be Pediculus humanus - a thought that I also initially shared. However, Blaine Mathison nicely pointed out that this insect has a wing, which rules out lice, as they are wingless. Here is his annotated image:

Based on this finding, it is likely that this is just a contaminant or inconsequential finding. It doesn't explain the patient's symptoms, and therefore further investigation is warranted. 

Thanks again to Dr. Steven Ruhoy and Tracie Rose for donating this challenging case!