Test Catalog

Test Id : PINW

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Pinworm Exam, Perianal

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Overview

Test Catalog

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Detection of the eggs of Enterobius vermicularis on the skin of the perianal folds

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

Microscopic

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

Pinworm Exam, Perianal

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Anal Swab

Perianal Swab for Pinworms

Pinworms

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Varies

ORDER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question ID Description Answers
Q00M0048 Specimen Source

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

Supplies: Swubes (T300)

Specimen Type: Perianal

Container/Tube: SWUBE disposable paddle (Falcon) or similar method of collection

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions: See Pinworm Collection Instructions

Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-Microbiology Test Request (T244)

-Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728)

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Varies Ambient (preferred) 7 days
Refrigerated 7 days

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Detection of the eggs of Enterobius vermicularis on the skin of the perianal folds

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Enterobius vermicularis, also known as pinworm, is a common intestinal nematode with a worldwide distribution. In the United States, pinworm infection is the most common helminth infection of humans and is most frequently found in young school-age children. Transmission is by the fecal-oral route. Individuals become infected when inadvertently ingesting pinworm eggs from the environment (eg, contaminated objects and surfaces). The eggs then hatch in the small intestine and the adults reside in the lumen of the cecum. Gravid adult females migrate to the perianal area during the night and deposit large numbers of eggs in the perianal area, using a glue-like substance to promote adherence anal skin folds.

 

Most infections are asymptomatic. When present, the most common symptom is nocturnal pruritus ani (nightly anal itching) from the host inflammatory reaction to the eggs and associated adhesion. With itching, the eggs contaminate the fingers of the host and then spread into the environment to infect others. Autoinoculation is also common. Heavy infections may be associated with irritability, difficulty sleeping, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Ectopic migration of the adult female worm may also lead to vulvovaginitis, salpingo-oophoritis, peritonitis, and, possibly, appendicitis.

 

Pinworm infection is best diagnosed through identification of eggs, and occasionally adults, obtained from the perianal skin folds. This is classically accomplished via collection with clear adhesive cellophane tape. The pinworm paddle (eg, SWUBE device) facilitates this collection and provides a safer and more reliable means of collection and examination. To collect eggs with the pinworm paddle, the adhesive side of the paddle is pressed firmly and repeatedly to the perianal region and then returned to its plastic tube for safe transportation to the laboratory. The specimen should be collected first thing in the morning, before the patient bathes or defecates. When the paddle arrives in the laboratory, it is placed on a glass slide and examined using a light microscope for eggs and adult worms. Care must be taken when collecting and examining the specimen, as pinworm eggs are infectious within 4 to 6 hours of being laid. Repeat testing may be recommended to increase the sensitivity of detection in cases of light infection.

 

Several agents are effective in treating pinworm infection (pyrantel pamoate, mebendazole), and good personal hygiene will prevent transmission of the eggs.

Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Negative (reported as positive or negative)

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Positive results are provided indicating the presence of eggs of Enterobius vermicularis.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Although adult pinworms and eggs can occasionally be observed in stool specimens, examination of feces is not the optimum method for detecting those parasites.

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Global Health, Division of Parasitic Diseases: Parasites-Enterobiasis (also known as Pinworm Infection). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Updated June 5, 2023. Accessed January 19, 2024. Available at www.cdc.gov/parasites/pinworm/index.html

2. Mayo Clinic: Pinworm infection. Mayo Clinic; Updated June 4, 2022. Accessed January 19, 2024. Available at www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pinworm/symptoms-causes/syc-20376382

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

The disposable paddle is firmly pressed against right and left perianal folds first thing in the morning. The paddle is examined microscopically for the presence of pinworms and eggs.(Garcia L. Diagnostic Medical Parasitology. 6th ed. ASM Press; 2016)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday through Friday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

1 to 4 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

7 days

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

87172

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
PINW Pinworm Exam, Perianal 675-9
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
PINW Pinworm Exam, Perianal 675-9

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports