Perianal scraping for pinworm eggs (enterobiasis)

Testing perianal material is intended to detect the eggs of pinworms, the parasites that cause enterobiasis. Pinworms lay eggs on the skin around the anus, so this infection requires a special local sample rather than only a conventional stool sample. The test is ordered according to symptoms or epidemiological indications.

One negative test does not exclude enterobiasis because egg shedding is intermittent. The need for repeat tests and exact sampling instructions should be clarified with the doctor and laboratory. The doctor assesses the result together with symptoms, medical history and other investigations. The reference values of the individual laboratory are used for comparison, and changes over time are considered during follow-up.

• Detect pinworm eggs.
• Complement investigation of enterobiasis.