An acid-fast stain of a fecal smear reveals round structures 8-10 um in diameter. The most likely organism is?

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Prepare for the Clinical Laboratory Science Bacteriology Test. Engage with multiple choice questions and flashcards with helpful hints and explanations. Ace your exam confidently!

Multiple Choice

An acid-fast stain of a fecal smear reveals round structures 8-10 um in diameter. The most likely organism is?

Explanation:
On acid-fast stool staining, the size and shape of the oocysts help identify the organism. Oocysts that are round and about 8–10 μm in diameter fit Cyclospora cayetanensis. This size range distinguishes it from other common intestinal coccidia: Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts are smaller, about 4–6 μm; Isospora belli oocysts are much larger and oval/elongated (roughly 20–30 μm); Microsporidia produce much smaller spores and do not present as 8–10 μm spherical acid-fast bodies. So the combination of round shape and 8–10 μm size points to Cyclospora.

On acid-fast stool staining, the size and shape of the oocysts help identify the organism. Oocysts that are round and about 8–10 μm in diameter fit Cyclospora cayetanensis. This size range distinguishes it from other common intestinal coccidia: Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts are smaller, about 4–6 μm; Isospora belli oocysts are much larger and oval/elongated (roughly 20–30 μm); Microsporidia produce much smaller spores and do not present as 8–10 μm spherical acid-fast bodies. So the combination of round shape and 8–10 μm size points to Cyclospora.

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