Description

Analysis method: Microscopy*3 (worms + unicellular parasites – 3 days), Real-time PCR (unicellular parasites, virus and bacteria)

Sampling material: Stool sample

Test results within 5-14 business days – PCR usually ready within 24-48h of arrival to lab.

Laboratory EU

THE PARASITE BOX LARGE (3 Days) – THE USUAL SUSPECTS + Gut Health + Virus & Bacteria Screening is one of our best tests that includes a wide screening for parasitic infections by microscopic analysis (7-10 days) for the identification of roundworms, flukes, tapeworms and unicellular parasites (protozoa). Additional real-time PCR is provided for 6 different protozoa – (1-3 days) as well as for viruses and pathogenic bacterias.

*Free digital consultation with one of our partner physicians is included in case of a confirmed tapeworm infection.

See the list below for additional information of the analyses included in THE PARASITE BOX LARGE – THE USUAL SUSPECTS + Gut Health + Virus & Bacteria;

Extensive parasite, virus and bacteria screening using microscopy and PCR

Clinical overview

THE PARASITE BOX – LARGE is an extensive stool-based diagnostic test designed for the detection of intestinal parasites, unicellular organisms, viruses and pathogenic bacteria. The test combines classical microscopic analysis with real-time PCR, allowing both morphological identification and molecular detection of a broad range of gastrointestinal pathogens.

This test is suitable for patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, suspected parasitic exposure, travel-related infections, or unexplained digestive complaints.

Analytical methods

• Microscopy for helminths and unicellular parasites
• Real-time PCR for selected protozoa, viruses and pathogenic bacteria

All analyses are performed at an EU-based accredited laboratory.

Sample material & turnaround time

• Sample material: Stool sample
• PCR results: Typically available within 24–48 hours after arrival at the laboratory
• Microscopy results: 5–10 business days

Parasitological analysis – Microscopy

Roundworms (Nematodes)

• Ancylostoma duodenale (Hookworm) *
• Ascaris lumbricoides (Human roundworm) *
• Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm) *
• Strongyloides stercoralis (Strongyloides)
• Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm) *
• Necator Americanus
• Ancylostoma ceylanicum *
• Ancylostoma braziliense *
• Ancylostoma caninum *
• Ancylostoma tubaeforme  *
• Uncinaria stenocephala  *
• Others

Tapeworms (Cestodes)

• Dipylidium caninum (Dog tapeworm)
• Diphyllobothrium latum (Broad fish tapeworm) *
• Hymenolepis nana (Dwarf tapeworm)
• Taenia saginata (Beef tapeworm / Unarmed tapeworm)
• Taenia solium (Pork tapeworm / Armed tapeworm) *
• Hymenolepis Diminuta
• Rodentolepis nana
• Echinococcus granulossus  *
• Others

Flukes (Trematodes)

• Fasciolopsis buski (Intestinal fluke)
• Fasciola hepatica (Large liver fluke) *
• Opisthorchis viverrini (Liver fluke) *
• Schistosoma haematobium (Blood fluke) *
• Schistosoma Mansoni *
• Opistorchis Felineus
• Dicrocoelium dendriticum
• Clonorchis sinensis
• Paragonimus westermani
• Paragonimus africanus
• Paragonimus mexicanus
• Others

(* means we have optional PCR analysis available for extra cost)

Unicellular parasites (Protozoa)

Microscopy and/or PCR detection of:

• Blastocystis (microscopy and PCR included)
• Dientamoeba fragilis (microscopy and PCR included)
• Giardia lamblia (microscopy and PCR included)
• Cryptosporidium (microscopy and PCR included)
• Entamoeba histolytica / dispar (microscopy and PCR included for Histolytica)
• Cyclospora cayetanensis (microscopy and PCR included)
• Entamoeba Hartmanni
• Entamöba Polecki
• Entamoeba coli
• Chilomastix Mesnili
• Endolimax Nana (non pathogenic)
• Iodamöba Butschii
• Cystoisospora Belli
• Sarcocystis Hominis
• Others

Broad-spectrum PCR – Viruses & bacteria

Viruses

• Sapovirus GI/GII/GIV/GV
• Adenovirus
• Astrovirus
• Norovirus GI/GII
• Rotavirus A

Pathogenic bacteria

Gram-positive:

• Clostridium difficile
  • Toxin A
  • Toxin B
  • Binary toxin

Gram-negative:

• Plesiomonas shigelloides
• Salmonella spp.
• Campylobacter spp.
• Vibrio parahaemolyticus
• Vibrio cholerae
• Vibrio vulnificus
• Shigella / Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
• Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC)
• Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
• Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
• Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
• Yersinia enterocolitica

Gut health analysis (stool markers)

The Large (3 Days) box includes standard gut health assessment, evaluating:

• Stool colour, pH and consistency
• Fat digestion (neutral fats, fatty acid crystals)
• Starch and undigested food residues
• Leukocytes (WBC) and erythrocytes (RBC)

Medical support & add-ons

A free digital consultation with a partner physician is included in cases of confirmed tapeworm infection. A wide range of additional PCR and antibody tests can be added if clinically indicated.

Clinical indication

THE PARASITE BOX – LARGE (3days) is recommended for patients requiring a broad parasitological and microbiological investigation, without functional gut permeability or SIBO testing.

Available add-on tests;

You will find the available add-on tests in the laboratory submission form included in your Parasite Box. Additional add-on tests are charged separately upon arrival to our laboratory. 

• Calprotectin (inflammatory marker).
• Helicobacter pylori – (harmful intestinal bacteria)
• Fecal Blood
• PCR-analysis for Candida (7 specific different species)
• PCR-analysis for Flukes; Schistosoma haematobium (Blood fluke), Fasciola hepatica (Large liver fluke) & Opisthorchis viverrini (Asian liver fluke) (urine sample)
• PCR-analysis for Taenia Solium (Pork Tapeworm)
• PCR-analysis for Diphyllobothrium latum (Fish Tapeworm)
• PCR-analysis for 5 different species of Hookworms
• PCR-analysis for Echinococcus Granulossus, Ascaris (Roundworm) and Trichuris Trichiura
• PCR-analysis for 7 common UTI infections (Ureaplasma Parvum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma etc)
• PCR-analysis for Enterobius Vermicularis + Ancylostoma Duodunales

If you want antibody testing for the below infections – please let us know with booking since we have to add various items for the serum sampling:

• Fasciola Hepatica IgG
• Shistosoma spp (IgG + IgM)
• Ascaris Lumbricoides (IgG)
• Taenia Solium (IgG)
• Echinococcus Granulosus (IgG)
• Toxocara Canis (IgG)

Should you want to order several Parasite Boxes for both you and your family members, we can provide a family discount. Please contact us at: hello@parasiteclinic.co.uk for a discount code.

Digital consultation with partner physicians in the field are available, the consultation with a physician is charged according to the physicians rates. Our partner physicians are able to prescribe pharmaceuticals within the EU and to the UK, please visit our product page for additional information.

Parasiteclinic.co.uk is operated by The Better Option AB, a Swedish licensed healthcare company providing healthcare services including parasitic tests. We are approved by the Swedish Healthcare Inspectorate (IVO).