Identification of fecal parasites in the Special Parasitology Survey of the College of American Pathologists.

Review of participant performance in the Special Parasitology Survey of the College of American Pathologists for the years 1973-1977 shows that laboratories are generally able to identify helminth eggs and larvae in formalin-fixed fecal material but have difficulty identifying protozoa in formalin-fixed fecal material and in permanently stained slides. Ability to identify some protozoa has improved during the period reviewed. Well-trained personnel and access to reference materials should lead to improved performance.