Plant Root Hair in Tap Water: A Potential Cause for Diagnostic Confusion.
10.3343/kjlm.2011.31.1.44
- Author:
Sadia SHAKOOR
1
;
Mohammad WASAY
;
Afia ZAFAR
;
Mohammad Asim BEG
Author Information
1. Department of Microbiology, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. sadia.shakkoor@aku.edu
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Helminthes;
Artifacts;
Water supply
- MeSH:
Animals;
Brain Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology;
*Diagnostic Errors;
Helminthiasis/diagnosis;
Helminths/growth & development;
Humans;
Larva/anatomy & histology;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Plant Roots/*anatomy & histology;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed;
Tuberculoma/*diagnosis/pathology;
Water
- From:The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine
2011;31(1):44-46
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Plant root hairs are commonly found artifacts in parasitology specimens and may be confused with helminthes by an untrained eye. We report a case of brain tuberculoma where the tissue sample was contaminated with root hair derived from tap water; the presence of this root hair, which mimicked a larva, led to diagnostic confusion. Therefore, tap water should be considered a source of root hair and vegetable matter.