Analysis of the ovum is carried out in order to detect parasitic helminths in the feces of eggs. They are combined into a group of helminthiases, ascariasis, trichinosis, and hookworm are distinguished. This analysis is necessary to make and confirm some diagnoses. It is also taken by children upon admission to kindergartens and pregnant women.
So, the analysis for an egg-list is prescribed:
- if infection with parasitic helminths is suspected;
- during a routine examination, for example to obtain a medical book.
Most often, helminths are found in children. Therefore, it is very important that children attending preschool institutions plan to take this analysis. Most often, flat (Cestoidea, Trematoda) and roundworms (Nematoda, Askarida) are detected.
Very often the question arises as to how to pass the analysis of feces to an ovum. There are certain collection rules. The following recommendations should be followed:
1. Immediately prior to collection, it is forbidden to use laxatives, including suppositories, and do an enema.
2. During bowel movements, it is necessary to use a pre-prepared tray or plastic oilcloth. It is impossible to prevent contact with feces, which will be submitted for analysis, of wastewater, urine, excreta, personal hygiene products and so on.
3. The feces collected for analysis are placed in a special container with a lid, while it should occupy no more than one third of the total container volume.
4. If for some reason it is not possible to send the collected material for analysis to the laboratory, then it must be stored at a temperature of no more than +8 degrees, while the allowable shelf life is no more than 24 hours.
5. If necessary, several portions of feces are collected within one day without fail from various bowel movements.
Most often, an analysis of the ovum is carried out by the microscopic method. With a detailed examination of feces in the laboratory, specialists can detect not only the eggs, but also the worms themselves or their parts. In order to accurately determine the type of parasitic helminth, the detected element is placed between two glass slides. If you look at it in the light, you can find the uterus of the helminth. It differs depending on the type of worm.
If the test for an egg-list showed a positive result, then further examination is necessary. If obvious symptoms of infection are detected, then on the basis of one coprological examination, the diagnosis is not made. But a negative result does not always indicate the absence of pathogenic helminths in the body. Eggs and segments of tapeworms do not always come out with feces. Therefore, a simple microscopic examination will not give results. In this case, additional analyzes are required.
The fact that helminths are completely absent in the body should be indicated by the complete absence of both eggs and worm elements in the feces. You also need to know how much the test affects the ovum. Its shelf life is short - only 10 days from the date of receipt. If it is expired, you must go through the analysis again.