An ova, cysts and parasite (OCP) test is a microscopic evaluation of a stool sample, checking for parasites that have infected the gastrointestinal tract. If there is an infection, the parasites and their ova (eggs) are shed and passed out of the body and can be detected in the stool. Parasite and their ova have different shapes, sizes and internal structures that are characteristic of their species.

There are a wide variety of parasites that can infect humans. Most often, those who are infected by parasites become infected by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated with the parasitic ova. This contamination cannot be seen and the food and water will look, smell and taste completely normal. Since an infected person’s stool is also infectious, without careful handwashing and food preparation, they may pass the infection onto others.

A stool culture is useful to investigate prolonged diarrhoea especially if mucus or blood is present. The exact tests performed will depend on where you have travelled to recently, and whether you have been in contact with someone with infective diarrhoea. 

Infection

Please include as much information about recent foreign travel or contact with people with infective diarrhoea on your sample form as this will help the laboratory to choose the most appropriate tests to perform. State fungus on sample if required.