MVGFCI

MANUEL V. GALLEGO FOUNDATION COLLEGES, INC.

Name: Queendee S. Rivera Date: July 19, 2023

Group #: 1

MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY

LABORATORY ACTIVITY 3
Microscopic Identification of Common Parasites in Clinical Specimens

IDENTIFIED PARASITES
1. ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA TROPHOZOITE
2. BALANTIDIUM COLI TROPHOZOITE
3. MONOCYSTIS W.M.
4. ASCARIS OVA W.M.
5. FASCIOLA HEPATICA OVA W.M.

ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA TROPHOZOITE

Entamoeba histolytica is a
parasitic amoeba that infects the
human gastrointestinal tract. The
trophozoite stage is the active,
motile form of the parasite.

Its distinguishing features include:

Size: The trophozoite is approximately 10-60 μm in diameter.
Shape: It has a characteristic round-to-oval shape with a single nucleus.
Pseudopodia: The trophozoite exhibits pseudopodia, which are temporary extensions of
its cytoplasm used for movement.
Ingested RBCs: E. histolytica trophozoites can often be observed with ingested red
blood cells in their cytoplasm.
Disease Connection:
Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites are responsible for causing amoebiasis, which
primarily affects the large intestine but can also spread to other organs. Amoebiasis can
lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloody stools, and in severe cases,
it can cause liver abscesses.

BALANTIDIUM COLI TROPHOZOITE

Balantidium coli is a parasitic ciliate

that infects the large intestine of
humans and other animals. The
trophozoite stage is the active,
feeding form of the parasite.

Its distinguishing features include:

Size: The trophozoite is approximately 30-150 μm in length and 20-70 μm in width.
Shape: It has an oval or rounded shape with a distinct cytostome (mouth) and
prominent cilia covering its surface.
Cilia: The trophozoite is covered with numerous cilia, which are used for locomotion and
feeding.
Macronucleus and Micronucleus: Balantidium coli trophozoites possess a large
macronucleus and one or more micronuclei.

Disease Connection:
Balantidium coli trophozoites can cause a condition called balantidiasis. It is
characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea (which may contain blood and mucus),
abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Severe cases can lead to colitis or dysentery.
MONOCYSTIS W.M.

Monocystis is a genus of parasitic

protozoa that infects the reproductive
organs of earthworms. The "W.M."
abbreviation stands for "whole mount,"
indicating that it refers to a slide
preparation of the organism.

Monocystis is characterized by:

Size: Monocystis trophozoites are elongated and typically range from 50-150 μm in
length.
Shape: They have a slender, spindle-like shape with tapered ends.
Nucleus: Monocystis trophozoites possess a single large nucleus.

Disease Connection:
Monocystis is specific to earthworms and does not cause diseases in humans or other
animals.

ASCARIS OVA W.M.

Ascaris lumbricoides is a large intestinal

roundworm that infects humans. The "W.M."
abbreviation again refers to "whole mount,"
indicating a slide preparation of the organism's
ova (eggs).

The distinguishing features of Ascaris ova include:

Size: Ascaris ova are oval-shaped and measure approximately 45-75 μm in length.
Shell: The ova have a characteristic thick, brown, rough outer shell.
Internal Structures: Inside the ova, various internal structures such as the developing
larvae can be observed under the microscope.

Disease Connection:
Ascaris lumbricoides infections, known as ascariasis, can occur when the ova are
ingested through contaminated food or water. In humans, the larvae hatch from the ova
in the intestines, migrate through various organs, and may cause symptoms such as
abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nutritional deficiencies.

FASCIOLA HEPATICA OVA W.M.

Fasciola hepatica is a parasitic trematode,

commonly known as the liver fluke, that infects
various mammals, including humans. The "W.M."
abbreviation refers to "whole mount" and indicates
a slide preparation of the organism's ova.

The distinguishing features of Fasciola hepatica ova include:

Size: The ova are large, measuring approximately 130-150 μm in length and 60-90 μm
in width.
Shape: They are elliptical or oval-shaped and possess a distinct operculum (lid-like
structure) at one end.
Operculum and Abopercular Knob: The operculum and abopercular knob are structures
that allow the hatched miracidium (larva) to escape.

Disease Connection:
Fasciola hepatica infections, known as fascioliasis, typically occur when humans
consume contaminated water or plants containing the encysted larvae. The larvae
migrate to the liver and may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, hepatomegaly
(enlarged liver), and in chronic cases, can lead to liver fibrosis.