Microscopy of Stool Sediment

Microscopy of stool sediment is an important laboratory method aimed at studying insoluble components of feces. It helps reveal digestive disorders, inflammatory processes, and infections. The microscopic sediment may contain the following elements:

• Muscle fibers:
  • Digested — normal component.
  • Undigested — indicate insufficient activity of gastric juice and pancreatic enzymes (creatorea).
• Connective tissue fibers:
  Normally absent. Their presence indicates severe protein digestion disruption, often in achylia (lack of hydrochloric acid and gastric enzymes).
• Neutral fat:
  Presence indicates steatorrhea — impaired fat absorption, common in pancreatic and small intestine diseases.
• Fatty acids and soaps:
  Large quantities indicate impaired enzymatic fat breakdown.
• Starch:
  • Intracellular — indicates accelerated intestinal transit.
  • Extracellular — indicates amylase deficiency (amylorrhea).
• Iodophilic flora:
  Bacteria that stain with iodine: large amounts indicate dysbiosis.
• Crystals:
  • Triple phosphates, oxalates — occur with metabolic disorders or inflammation.
• Mucus:
  Small amounts are normal. Excess may indicate intestinal inflammation or irritation.
• Leukocytes:
  Sign of intestinal inflammation, e.g., colitis, enterocolitis.
• Erythrocytes:
  Their presence may indicate ulcerative lesions or tumors.
• Parasites and their eggs:
  May be detected in helminthic infections (ascariasis, pinworms, giardiasis, etc.).

Microscopy of stool sediment allows comprehensive assessment of digestive system status, detecting inflammation, digestion and absorption disorders, infections, and parasitic infestations.