EN
The aims of the study were: 1. to compare morphometric features of eggs of selected alimentary tract parasites and common garden plants pollen, which may accidentally contaminate a feces undergoing parasitological examination; 2. to make laboratory diagnosticians aware of a possibility of an error at coproscopic examination as well as in helminthologic evaluation of the environmental samples (soil, water). Eggs of 7 species of alimentary tract parasites and 52 common garden plants pollens were examined and compared; using of MultiScanBase v.8.08 computer program the perimeter, length and width of the given objects/images were measured and statistical calculations were made in Statistica 9.1 program. The following conclusions can be drawn: 1. The computer image comparative analysis of parasite eggs and plant pollen proved the existence of statistically significant differences between the particular morphometric features; 2. A routine direct microscopic observation of feces is performed with the naked eye which is not able to notice slight differences (up to a few μm in size), and therefore, despite lack of statistically significant differences, it is easy to make an error; 3. During a routine microscopic observation it should be remembered that the structure, shape or exine of many commonly occurring pollen grains are extremely similar to eggs of some parasites; 4. Both in the analysis of feces specimens and the evaluation of environmental samplings characteristic morphological features of eggs should be considered to facilitate differentiation between eggs and pollen grains; 5. Following the precautionary measures to avoid contamination of feces simples with plants pollens, quality control as well as reliability and awareness of risk eliminates danger of obtaining false positive results.