Echinococcus – Cyst

Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 01 May 2024.

Testing Indications

Prior to collection, contact the Public Health laboratory at (416) 235-6556 or toll free 1 (877) 604-4567.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested	Required Requisition(s)	Specimen Type	Minimum Volume	Collection Kit
Ova and Parasites¹	General Test Requisition	Aspirated fluid from cyst	N/A	Sterile container
Ova and Parasites^1,2	General Test Requisition	Excised cyst	N/A	Sterile container

Submission and Collection Notes

Please note on the requisition (under other): If the patient has Eosinophilia, or a space-occupying lesion noted by imaging.

Indicate Country/Region and if the patient is a new immigrant or refugee or returned traveler under ‘Travel’ section of the requisition

Echinococcus granulosus is widely distributed across Canada
Echinococcus multilocularis has a more limited distribution: AB, MB, ON, SK, NWT

Storage and Transport

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

Requisitions and Kit Ordering

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

Echinococcus testing is performed Monday to Friday.

Turnaround time is up to 3 days from receipt by the PHO laboratory.

Test Methods

Definitive diagnosis is made by either detection of larval cestodes (protoscolices) or the hooklets thereof, from fluid collected (aspirated) from suspected cysts.

Serum should also be sent for echinococcal serology.

Reporting

Results are reported to the ordering physician or health care provider as indicated on the requisition.

References

LAB-SD-024, Parasitology – Clinical Information Requirements

Distribution of organism species

Echinococcus granulosus is widely distributed across Canada.
Echinococcus multilocularis has a more limited distribution: AB, MB, SK, NWT.

Mode of transmission

Humans can be infected by consuming the infective eggs passed by the carnivore hosts of Echinococcus spp. For this reason, those who handle live carnivores, their feces, pelts or carcasses should wear gloves and use good hygiene to avoid contamination by tapeworm eggs.