Which finding supports a diagnosis of Ascariasis on diagnostic testing?

Which finding supports a diagnosis of Ascariasis on diagnostic testing?

• A. Abdomen X-ray shows pathognomonic signs.
• B. Eggs in feces or a large worm may be coughed, vomited, or seen in stool; Stool O&P and eosinophilia are common.
• C. Liver function tests are markedly elevated.
• D. Antibody test is specific and diagnostic.

Answer: (B)

Ascariasis is diagnosed most reliably by identifying the parasite itself or its eggs in stool, often accompanied by eosinophilia. After ingestion of Ascaris eggs, eggs can be detected in feces, and adults may be coughed up, vomited, or passed in stool. Eosinophilia is a common accompanying finding due to the body's reaction to a helminth infection, and stool O&P testing is a standard diagnostic tool. Abdominal X-ray is not specific for Ascariasis and may only show nonspecific signs like obstruction in severe cases rather than a definitive diagnostic feature. Liver function tests are not characteristically elevated in uncomplicated ascariasis. Antibody tests, while they exist for some parasites, are not specific or diagnostic for Ascaris and are not relied upon for confirmation.

Ascariasis is diagnosed most reliably by identifying the parasite itself or its eggs in stool, often accompanied by eosinophilia. After ingestion of Ascaris eggs, eggs can be detected in feces, and adults may be coughed up, vomited, or passed in stool. Eosinophilia is a common accompanying finding due to the body's reaction to a helminth infection, and stool O&P testing is a standard diagnostic tool.

Abdominal X-ray is not specific for Ascariasis and may only show nonspecific signs like obstruction in severe cases rather than a definitive diagnostic feature. Liver function tests are not characteristically elevated in uncomplicated ascariasis. Antibody tests, while they exist for some parasites, are not specific or diagnostic for Ascaris and are not relied upon for confirmation.