What diagnostic results should support the choice of anthelmintic medication?

The diagnosis of a parasitic infection requiring anthelmintic medication is primarily confirmed through the examination of stool samples for ova and parasites. This testing directly identifies the presence of helminthic eggs, larvae, or adult parasites in the gastrointestinal tract, which is crucial for determining the appropriate anthelmintic treatment. Identifying the specific type of parasite allows practitioners to choose the most effective medication, as different anthelmintics work against different types of worms, such as nematodes, trematodes, or cestodes.

While a complete blood count may provide supportive information—such as elevated eosinophil levels associated with some parasitic infections—this alone does not confirm the presence of a specific helminth. Similarly, urinalysis and X-ray results are not standard diagnostic tools for directly identifying intestinal parasites. Thus, stool examination remains the gold standard for diagnosing infections and supporting the choice of anthelmintic therapy.