occult blood test


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occult

 [ŏ-kult´]
obscure or hidden from view.
occult blood test examination by microscope or chemical test of a specimen (such as feces, urine, or gastric juice) for presence of blood that is not otherwise detectable. Feces are tested when intestinal bleeding is suspected but there is no visible evidence of blood.

occult blood test

Etymology: L, occultare, to hide; AS, blod + L, testum, crucible
a test for the presence of microscopic amounts of blood in the feces secondary to bleeding in the digestive tract. The minimal amounts of occult blood normally passed into the GI tract are not usually significant enough to cause a positive result for occult blood testing. Benign and malignant GI tumors, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, arteriovenous malformations, and diverticulosis can cause the appearance of occult blood in the stool, as can swallowed blood from oral or nasal pharyngeal bleeding.

occult blood test

A screening test for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including anemias that may be caused by gastrointestinal blood loss.
See: fecal occult blood test

occult

obscure or hidden from view.
occult blood test
examination, microscopically or by a chemical test, of a specimen of feces, urine, gastric juice, etc., to determine the presence of blood not otherwise detectable. Feces are tested when intestinal bleeding is suspected but there is no visible evidence of blood in the stools.
occult heartworm infection
infection by Dirofilaria immitis in which circulating microfilariae cannot be detected in the peripheral blood by the usual test methods.
occult spavin
see occult spavin.
occult virus
the virus or infectious agent cannot be isolated but there is strong circumstantial evidence that it is present, e.g. scrapie prion.
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References in periodicals archive ?
Of those who did not have a fecal occult blood test in the previous year, 22.
Colorectal screening goals unmet
The specific aims of this study were to determine (1) the prevalence of lesions in asymptomatic patients, 45 years of age and over, with negative fecal occult blood tests, by using a 60-cm flexible sigmoidoscope, and to study the histopathology of colorectal lesions in terms of type, size, and location; (2) what proportion of the lesions found were beyond the reach of a 24-cm rigid or a 30-cm flexible sigmoidoscope; (3) what proportion of these patients with significant lesions had additional lesions beyond 60 cm as detected by colonoscopy; and (4) what proportion of these patients with significant lesions would have been referred for colonoscopy if either the 24-cm or the 30-cm sigmoidoscope had been used rather than the 60-cm sigmoidoscope.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy in asymptomatic patients with negative fecal occult blood tests
Test inconvenience for patients, patient refusal or poor compliance, and physician reimbursement were also the most common barriers to fecal occult blood tests and flexible sigmoidoscopy reported by the physicians.
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Medicare may cover more colorectal cancer tests. (Rule 'Opens the Door')
Physicians now have a new option when it comes to ordering a fecal occult blood test for Medicare patients.
Colorectal screening option

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