REPORT OF SPORES OF HENNEGUYA-SALMINICOLA (MYXOZOA) IN HUMAN STOOL SPECIMENS - POSSIBLE SOURCE OF CONFUSION WITH HUMAN SPERMATOZOA

The spores of Henneguya salminicola, a common tissue parasite of salmo nid fishes in the northern hemisphere, were observed in stool specimen s from two different patients with diarrhea, The spores' superficial r esemblance to human spermatozoa resulted, in one instance, in: an inco rrect report, leading to suspicion of sexual abuse, H. salminicola spo res and human spermatozoa can be differentiated an the basis of size, morphology, and staining characteristics. Laboratory personnel who per form microscopic examinations of stool specimens for ova and parasites should be aware that spores of H. salminicola may be seen from time t o time.