IMAGE SESSION

PARASITOLOGY
Learning Objectives
■ Identify the ova and cysts of medically
important parasites
■ Hook worm
■ Ascaris lumbricoides
■ Entrobius vermicularis
■ A variety of parasitesA variety
of parasites can cause infections of the
digestive system (gastrointestinal (GI)
infections). An ova and parasite (O&P)
exam is a microscopic evaluation of a
stool sample that is used to look for
parasites that may infect the lower
digestive tract, causing symptoms such
as diarrheaA variety of parasites can
cause infections of the digestive
system (gastrointestinal (GI)
infections). An ova and parasite (O&P)
exam is a microscopic evaluation of a
■ When thin smears of stool are put onto
glass slides and stained, the parasites and
their ova or cysts (the form in which the
parasite is surrounded by a resistant cover
or capsule) can be detected and identified
under the microscope. Different ova and
parasites have distinct shapes, sizes, and
internal structures that are characteristic of
their species.
Hookworms
 Hookworms
At least two species of hookworms infect man,
Necator americanus and Ancylostoma
duodenale. They live in small intestine.
 I. Morphology

1. Adults: They look like a piece of

thread and are about 1cm. They are
white or light pinkish when living. ♀is
slightly larger than♂.The male’s
posterior end is expanded to form a
copulatory bursa.
2. Eggs: 60×40 µm in size, oval in
shape, shell is thin and colorless.
Content is 2-8cells.
 Differences between two
hookworms

Adults of A. Adults of N.
duodenale americanus
■ Scanning electron micrograph of the mouth
capsule of Ancylostoma duodenale , note the
presence of four "teeth," two on each side.
■ Scanning electron micrograph of the mouth
capsule of Necator americanus, another species of
human hookworm. Note the presence of two
cutting "teeth“.
shell.
ASCARIS LUMBRICOIDES
(ROUND WORMS)
 Enterobius vermicularis

■ The pinworms are one of the most

common intestinal nematodes. The
adult worms inhabit the cecum and
colon. The female worms migrate
out the anus depositing eggs on
the perianal skin. Humans get this
infection by mouth and by
autoinfection.
 I. Morphology
■ 1. Adults: The adults look like a pin and are white in
color. The anterior end has cuticular extensions called
“ cephalic alae”. The esophagus is slender,
terminating in a prominent posterior bulb , which is
called esophageal bulb. The cephalic alae and
esophageal bulb are important in identification of the
species.
Adult worm of E. vermiculais
Anterior part of E. vermicularis. Note
cephalic alae and esophageal bulb .
 Egg
Egg: 50 to 60m by 25 µm,
persimmon seed-like,
colorless and transparent,
thick and asymmetric shell,
content is a larva.

• Anal smear showing large

numbers of Enterobius eggs
under the lower power. In
the background are also two
Ascaris eggs.