Act #8 identification of trematodes

1. what are the distinguishing characteristics of the 3 species of Schistosomes’ eggs?

Schistosoma Mansoni eggs has a prominent lateral spine shaped like a rose thorn. Schistosoma
japonicum eggs has a small knob-like or small lateral spine (recurved hook on one side). While for the
Schistosoma Haematobium eggs, it has a prominent/ conspicuous terminal spine.

2. Define the following?

• Operculum- A cap from which worms hatch from the egg.

• Spine - short, straight, hardened structures that protrude from the surface of the parasite.
• Gynaecophoral groove - a ventral groove in the male worm in which the female must reside for
sexual maturity.
• Sucker - Digenic trematodes are unsegmented, leaf-shaped worms that are flattened
dorsoventrally. They bear 2 suckers, one surrounding the mouth (oral sucker) and another on the
ventral surface of the body (ventral sucker). These serve as the organs of attachment.

3. Differentiate between the adult Schistosomes and the Fasciolas?

Act #9 Identification of Intestinal & Luminal Protozoa

1. How would you distinguish the amoeba in an unstained and stained smear?

When unstained Amoeba appears like a transparent jelly-like structure that shows the crawling
movement of the organism through the field. Inside the organism vacuoles are seen as large empty
spaces and food particles are seen as tiny black dots. Iodine stains make the nucleus perfectly visible.
Staining and fixing to give a clearer view of the organelles and the structure of the living organism. It can
be observed that Amoeba’s cell organelles and cytoplasm are enclosed inside the cell membrane. The
cytoplasm is stained, which allows the observation of food vacuoles, nucleus, and other essential cell
organelles.

2. what is the significance of Blastocystis hominis in immunocompromised host?

It was considered as harmless yeast, but it is now getting acceptance as an agent of human intestinal
disease especially under immunosuppressive conditions. Clinical features of illness that have been
attributed to B. hominis are variable ranging from mild diarrhoea to acute gastroenteritis.

Act #10 Preparation & Staining of Thick and Thin Blood films

1. what is the importance of preparing a good blood film?

The purpose of examining a blood smear is to check the size, shape, and number of three types of blood
cells: Red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. White blood cells,
which fight infection. Platelets, which help your blood to clot.

2. what is the difference between a thick and blood film? Complete the table below
 Thick
Amount of blood 6 µl of blood
Time of Examination repeated blood smears every 8
hours for (or during a fever
strike) for a couple of days to
confirm that there is no malaria
infection.
Purpose/Advantage used to determine if parasites
are present.
Thin
2-3 µl of blood
repeated blood smears every 8
hours for (or during a fever
strike) for a couple of days to
confirm that there is no malaria
infection.
used to confirm the
Plasmodium species present

3. what staining reagents are commonly used for examination of parasites in blood film?

The specimen is stained (most often with the Giemsa stain) to give the parasite a distinctive appearance.

Act #11 Identification of Blood Protozoa: Malarial Parasites

1. how would you distinguish a malarial parasite from blood platelets or from a precipitated stain?

Malaria parasites can be identified by examining under the microscope a drop of the patient’s blood,
spread out as a “blood smear” on a microscope slide. Prior to examination, the specimen is stained
(most often with the Giemsa stain) to give the parasites a distinctive appearance. This technique remains
the gold standard for laboratory confirmation of malaria. However, it depends on the quality of the
reagents, of the microscope, and on the experience of the laboratorian.

Act #12 Fecal Concentration Technique

1. Compare the different concentration methods used for the recovery of the parasite eggs or cysts?

Sedimentation teqni

2. what are the advantages or disadvantages of each technique?

3. among the different methods, which would you consider most practical for routine laboratory use?

Act #13 Special Techniques for Recovery of Helminth Eggs & Larvae

1. Other than the transparent adhesive techniques performed in this activity, cite another method can
be used for the recovery of pinworms and tapeworm eggs, explain their principle

2. what precautions must be observed in performing these procedures?

3. other than the Filter paper culture techniques performed in this activity, cite other methods can be
used for the recovery of helminth larvae, explain their principle?
Act #14 Estimation of Worm Burden

1. compare the 2 methods given above for estimating the worm burden. Give advantages and
disadvantages of each?

2. what other methods can be employed for estimating worm burden?

3. In the Kato-Katz modified thick smear technique what is the use of a template or paper with a hole for?