Korean J Lab Med.  2011 Jan;31(1):44-46. 10.3343/kjlm.2011.31.1.44.

Plant Root Hair in Tap Water: A Potential Cause for Diagnostic Confusion

• Shakoor S
• Wasay M
• Zafar A
• Beg MA

• KMID: 1096659
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3343/kjlm.2011.31.1.44

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.

Keyword

Helminthes; Artifacts; Water supply

MeSH Terms

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

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Wet mount preparation with saline of 2 separate sections of the brain tissue. The structures shown created a diagnostic dilemma as such artifacts are not common: (A) shows 2 distorted structures that have a definite outer covering but no pseudocoelom, (B) shows a tapering structure with a central refractile core, more suggestive of a root hair.

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) Microscopic examination of the root hair found in the laboratory tap water. Differences between root hair (B) and Strongyloides rhabditiform larvae (C): (i) mouth parts with distinct papilla in the nematode larva but indistinct in the root hair; (ii) the nerve ring apparent in the larva but absent in the root hair; (iii) the distinct cuticle and pseudocoelom found in the nematode larva is absent in the root hair, thereby resulting in a distorted morphology; (iv) the empty, rough conducting channel seen in the root hair must not be confused with nematode intestines.

Reference

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