Cryptosporidium / Giardia Antigen Screen  

 
IMPORTANT! Pre-approval needed from state or local health department. Local or State Health Department. Send approval to NPHL@unmc.edu or call (402) 559-9444.

NPHL has moved to an electronic ordering system, NUlirt, and it is now the preferred method to order all tests. Once ordered, print a "batch list" (see NUlirt Guide).

Forms Required - Nulirt batch list or NPHL Test Request Form (completed in entirety) must accompany the specimen to include the following information: symptoms and date of onset, pregnancy status, travel and vaccine history. Testing will not be performed without all required information.

Please call NPHL Client Services at (402) 559-2440 or toll free at (800) 334-0459 for further clarification.

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Test: Cryptosporidium / Giardia Antigen Screen  
Synonym: O & P 
Method: Enzymatic Immunoassay  
Availability: Monday, Wednesday, Friday by 0900; results same day  
Specimen: Stool  
Collection Device: Fresh stool in sterile container or if transport to lab > 2 hours, stool in Proto-fix vial for preservation. Add stool to fill line marked on Proto-fix vial, seal and shake vigorously. Add bloody or watery portions of stool if present.  
Volume: Walnut size stool or 10 mL of stool in preservative  
Storage/Transport: Ambient; transport to lab as soon as possible  
Unacceptable: Samples in PVA and formalin, dry specimens, leaking containers, specimens contaminated with oil, barium or urine, rectal swabs, multiple specimens per day  
Specimen Stability: Preserved stool stable for 7 days  
Reference Interval: Negative  
Reportable Disease:  
Comments: Test includes: examination of stool for the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium by EIA assay. If the patient has had foreign travel or continued symptoms and tested negative by antigen screen then recommend ordering Ova & Parasite, Complete, Foreign Travel Only. If Cyclospora/Isospora is suspected, order Ova & Parasites, Stool for Cyclospora & Isospora Stain. One Proto-fix vial can be submitted for all Ova & Parasite tests except Pinworm. If pinworm is suspected, a scotch tape preparation or pinworm collection paddle should be submitted to the lab instead of stool. Preservative available from Regional Pathology Services. 
Revised: 2/13/2012 
If you have questions about proper specimen collection, please call NPHL Client Services at (402) 559-2440 or toll free at (800) 334-0459.

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