Investigations
1st investigations to order
adhesive tape test
Test
The tape test should be performed on any school-aged child complaining of anal pruritus. A piece of transparent adhesive tape should be applied to the perianal area first thing in the morning, prior to bathing or bowel movements. This can then be placed on a slide and examined under a microscope for eggs or adult worms. There are also several commercially available adhesive paddles that may be used.[15] If microscopy is available in the doctor's surgery, eggs may be visualised under low power.
Otherwise, specimens may be sent to most hospital-based and many commercial microbiology laboratories for evaluation. This test should be performed on at least 3 consecutive days to maximise sensitivity.[1][16][21]
Result
identification of eggs or adult worms when examined under a microscope
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