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Parasite Testing at DSHS Laboratory

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Parasites can be divided into two large groups: Protozoa and Helminths (worms). Both protozoa and helminths can be free-living or parasitic. Transmission of protozoa and helminths that infect the intestines typically happens via the fecal-oral route (when food or water contaminated by feces is ingested). Protozoa that infect the blood or other human tissues are usually spread by biting insects such as mosquitos, kissing bugs, and sandflies. 

The DSHS Parasitology Laboratory tests for and identifies several medically important parasites, some of which must be reported to local and regional health departments. In such cases, the disease reporting contact, typically an epidemiologist, of the patient’s county of residence must be notified of the confirmed positive case.

A list of Texas notifiable conditions is at IDPS | Notifiable Conditions (state.tx.us). You may also scan the QR code for the 2024 list.

A QR code

Parasite Diseases of Medical Importance in Texas

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