Lab test interpretation

Coprogram Exercise: Identifying a Spiral Structure in Stool

A diagnostic exercise in stool microscopy. A student found an unusual spiral structure in a sample. Try to determine the nature of this finding.

Microphotograph of a stool sample for a practical microscopy exercise
Microphotograph of a stool sample for a practical microscopy exercise

An anonymous question from a subscriber: “I am a medical student, we recently performed stool microscopy, and I found this spiral in the sample. I can’t understand what it is?” Please help!