Micro Buzzwords for Gastrointestinal

Below are listed some common buzz words and phrases that are associated with specific
microorganisms. These can often be found in clinical case scenario questions. Please fill out the
specific organism next to the buzz word.

http://www.kumc.edu/AMA-MSS/Study/bug_table.htm

http://www.parasite-diagnosis.ch/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=52408&name=DLFE-
1503.pdf

Buzz word Organism

Acid fast oocyst Cyclosporidium parvum, Isospora belli (w/
malabsorption = isospora)
Barrel shaped eggs with plugged ends Trichuris trichiura
Beaver fever Giardia lamblia (pear-shaped organism w/
2 nuclei)
Black vomit Yellow Fever
Chronic diarrhea in AIDS patient Cyptosporidium parvum, microsporidia,
Isospora belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis
Clay pipestem fibrosis Schistosoma mansoni
Colorless colonies on SMAC agar EHEC
Cysticercosis Taenia Solium (Pork tapeworm eggs
ingestion)
Dane particle HBV
Flask-shaped lesions Entamoeba histolytica (causes bloody
diarrhea and liver cysts/abcesses, 4 nuclei,
chitin wall, resistant to gastric acid)
Floppy baby syndrome Clostridium botulinum
Gastric cancer H pylori
Growth at 4oC (temp of the refrigerator) Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia
enterocolitica, Aeromonas spp., Plesiomonas
shigelloides, Pseudomonas spp., and molds
Growth at 42oC Campylobacter jejuni (for incubation)
HUS EHEC (E. coli O157:H7)
Hydatid cyst disease Echinococcus mutilocularis
Malabsorption syndrome Giardia lamblia (+ acid fast oocyst =
Isospora)
Petting zoos EHEC
Pseudoappendicitis Yersenia enterocolitica
Megaloblastic anemia Diphyllobthrium latum (fish tapeworm)
Montezuma's revenge ETEC (Traveler’s diarrhea)
Operculum (lid-like) MANY WORM EGGS including:
Diphyllobthrium latum eggs (fish
tapeworm), Paragonimus westermani eggs,
 Clonorchis sinensis eggs, Fasciola
hepatica eggs, Dicrocoelium dendritcum
eggs
Oval-shaped eggs with lateral spine Schistosoma mansoni
Proglottids Cestodes (tapeworms)
Pseudomembranous colitis Clostridia difficile (gram +, strict anaerobe)
Rectal prolapse Trichiuras trichiura
Rice water diarrhea Vibrio cholera
Rose spots Salmonella typhi (typhoid fever)
Seagull wings Helicobacter (H. pylori) and Campylobacter species
A descriptor for a gull wing like pattern
with a broad, flat and gently curved V shape
Scotch tape prep Enterobius vermicularis (pin worms)
Sushi worm Anisakis simplex (causes vomiting)
Whipple disease Tropheryma whippelii (wasting, arthralgia,
weight loss due to impaired lymphatic
transport)
Temporary lactose intolerance Giardia lamblia (Villous blunting,
decreased expression of enzymes such as
lactase)
Iron deficiency anemia Hookworms: Necator duodenale and
Ancylostina duodenale
Myalgia from cysts in skeletal muscle Trichinella spiralis