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Updated: Jan 23, 2026
10:44
An Introduction to Worm Lab: from Culturing Worms to Mutagenesis
Published on: January 11, 2011
35.6K
A worm in the cytology laboratory: A root cause analysis case study.
Siba El Hussein1, Dominick Guerrero1, Stefano Rozental2,3
1The Leopold G. Koss, Division of Cytopathology, Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York.
Diagnostic Cytopathology
|June 22, 2019
Summary
Pinworm-like organisms in pap smears were initially suspected but later identified as a common contaminant. Further investigation traced the source of contamination in the cytopathology lab.
Area of Science:
- Cytopathology
- Parasitology
- Laboratory Contamination
Background:
- Nematode-like organisms were observed in gynecologic and anal pap specimens.
- Initial diagnosis considered pinworm infection due to morphology and specimen source.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the source of contamination in pap smear preparations.
- To identify the nature of the observed nematode-like organisms using molecular methods.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic examination of gynecologic and anal pap specimens.
- Tracking cases over a three-month period.
- Molecular investigation for contaminant identification.
Main Results:
- Over 30 cases of nematode-like organisms were identified within three months.
- The prevalence across various patient locations suggested a contaminant rather than infection.
- The study aimed to pinpoint the origin of the contamination within the laboratory process.
Conclusions:
- The frequent observation of pinworm-like organisms indicated a likely source of contamination.
- Further molecular analysis was crucial for definitive identification and source determination.
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