Ova and Parasite Test
Explanation
An ova and parasite test examines stool for intestinal parasites and their eggs. Ova means eggs. The test is often done with a microscope, but some parasites need a different test.
What does the test look for?
A laboratory can examine a stool sample under a microscope for parasites or eggs. This differs from a bacterial stool culture and from a test for Clostridioides difficile, also called C. difficile, which look for other causes of bowel infection.
A routine ova and parasite test does not detect every parasite or every infectious cause of diarrhea. Some organisms, including Cryptosporidium, may need a specifically requested test. Molecular panels look for genetic material from selected organisms, and the organisms included vary between panels.
Can one negative sample miss an infection?
Yes. Some parasites are not present in every stool sample. More than one sample collected on different days may improve the chance of finding them, but the number and timing depend on the suspected infection and the laboratory method.
A negative result means the laboratory did not find the tested parasites in that sample. It does not rule out every parasite or another cause of symptoms.
What does a positive result mean?
A positive result identifies a parasite, eggs or other tested material in the sample. Its meaning depends on what was found, the method used and your symptoms. The result alone does not show how severe an illness is.
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