PHYLUM NEMATODA

NEMATHELMINTHES
Roundworms
 The most abundant animal on earth
 Dioecious- male and female worm (larger) a few mm-meter in length.
 Free living in soil, marine and freshwater habitat. 500,000 species
 Nonsegmented, cylindrical, tapered at both ends
 Body covering- cuticle with longitudinal muscles
 Body cavity(pseudocoel)complete digestive tract with both oral and
anal openings.
 Mouth is provided with spines, hooks, cutting plates, stylets or other
structures for attachment or penetration of tissue
 Reproductive organs are tubular and lie coiled in the body cavity. Males
have chitinized spicules for copulation
 Sensory organs- anterior end (amphids), posterior end-
caudal (phasmids) nerve endings that acts as
chemoreceptors.
 separate classes of nematodes=Aphasmidea- Phasmidea
 Life cycle includes: Egg stage, Larval stage, Adult stage
 Adult female: Oviparous, Vivaparous, Parthenogenetic
General Characteristics
 Aphasmids
Trichinella spiralis
Trichuris trichiura
Capillaria philippinensis
 Phasmids
Ascaris lumbricoides
Strongyloides stercoralis
Hookworms
Enterobius vermicularis
Filarial worms
Habitat
 Small Intestine
Ascaris lumbricoides
Strongyloides stercoralis
Hookworms
Capillaria philippinensis
Trichinella spiralis
Habitat
 Large Intestine
Trichuris trichiura
Enterobius vermicularis
Habitat
 Tissue Nematodes
Trichinella spiralis
Wuchereria bancrofti
Brugia malayi
Onchocerca volvulus
Loa loa
Dirofilaria immitis
Gnathostoma spinigerum
Habitat
 Larva Migrans in Man
Dracunculus medinensis
Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Ancylostoma caninum
Ancylostoma braziliense
Trichinella spiralis p.305
 Parasite of the carnivorous mammals. Smallest nematode parasite
of humans
 “Trichina worm”-minute and threadlike
 Common in rats and swine fed with uncooked garbage and
slaughterhouse scraps
 Occurs worldwide. Especially in areas where raw garbage
containing pork scraps is fed to hogs
 Highest incidence rate is now reported in china- 10,000 cases
annually. Spain, France, Italy, Yugoslavia, ME, Africa.
 Discovered in 1835 by James Paget. Name by Prof. Richard Owen
 Morpholgy
Male adult worm Female adult worm Larva- Infective stage

• less than 2mm long (1.4-1.6 •Less than 5mm (3-4mm x 60- • 80-120um x 5-6um
mm x 40-60um) 80 um) (100x6um)

•Cloaca is found at caudal end • Vulva opens at the anterior •Provided with a spear-like
which is evertible during coitus. fifth of the body burrowing tip at the anterior
It is guarded by 2 conspicuous •Single uterus which contain end
conical papillae which clasp the the larva •Readily transported
female during copulation •Single ovary found near the throughout the body. (
•Spicule is absent posterior end. (caudal) Lymphatic vessel and gain
•Posterior end is curved ventral access to the general
circulation
•They leave the capillaries in
straited muscle to penetrate
through the sheaths of the
muscle fibers.
•Larva excyst after the cyst are
digested and penetrate the im-
develop to adult (30-40 HRS)
Male adult worm Female adult worm larva
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features (S&S) Dx test T/P/C

trichinosis •Mild to moderately severe symptoms •Skeletal muscle •Mebendazole

trichiniasis w/in 2-7days after ingestion.- biopsy(gastrocnemius) •Thiabendazole
trichinelliasis gastroenteritis, diaarhea w or w/o •Serologic test- •Albendazole
abdominal pain for several BENTONITE •Prednisone
Ingestion of weeks.weakness FLOCCULATION,
carcasses with •Fever and eosinophilia, leukocytosis is KNOTT OR •Cook meat properly
encysted common but not always present MEMBRANE • maintain proper
larva(inf. Stage) •Clinical sign – circumorbital FILTRATION sanitation.
edema(eyelids) appear on the 7th day- CONCENTRATES •Education-public
photophobia, diplopia, and other visual OF VENOUS
disturbances. BLOOD DURING
•Vasculitis-splinter hemorrhages LARVAL
underneath the nails. Muscle pain- MIGRATION.
(myalgia)sensitive to pressure (Ch.15/16)
•CNS involvement-psychosis,
meningoencephalitis, cva, brain tumor
•Myocarditis, pneumonitis
•4-6 weeks death may occur
Life cycle
Trichuris trichiura p.263
 “whipworm”- whip like in appearance
 Descriptive- anterior 3/5 is very thin and hair like, houses
the esophagus. While the posterior 2/5 is thick and stout
resembling the handle of a whip which houses the intestine
and reproductive organs.
 Worldwide distribution but common in tropical countries
and in regions where sanitation is poor
 Prevalence rate is high in Asia- 50-80%. Due to defecation
onto the soil takes place or when human feces are used as
fertilizers.
 Morphology
Male adult worm Female adult worm Ova- Infective stage

• 3-3.5 cm in length • 3.5-5.5 cm in length • 50-54um x 22-23um in diameter

•Spicule protrudes through a • vulva opens at the anterior end •Barrel – football-shaped in feces
refractile penial sheath which has which is the fleshy portion of the •Intralaminar (refractile)
a bulbous termination covered body prominences usually referred to
with small recurved spines. •Has a single uterus and ovary as polar plugs at either end.
•Distuinghed from the female by •Bluntly rounded at the posterior • 3 shells- chorionic layer,
its coiled caudal extremities about end albuminous layer, bile-stained layer
360 or more •Produces 3000-7000 eggs daily • when passed out it is usually
immature (unsegmented).
Requires 3 wks in soil to mature.
adult worm adult worm Ova-infective stage
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features (S&S) DX test T/P/C

Trichuriasis •Asymptomatic-light infection •DFS •Mebendazole

•Abdominal pain, distention, appendicitis • Kato-Katz •Albendazole
•Ingestion of •Bloody or mucoid diarrhea •FECT •Piperazine citrate
Ova •Tenesmus( distresing urge to evecuate), •Pyrantel pamoate
weight loss and weakness- heavy infection •Loperamide
•Rectal prolapse (edematous rectum) hydrocholride (Imodium)
•Moderate eosinophilia
•Nutritional deficiency- stunted growth •Proper hygiene-hand
washing
•Proper sanitation-
disposal of feces
•Avoid using fecal matter
as fertilizers
•Education-public
Life cycle
Capillaria philippinensis p.262
 History:
- was 1st recognized in the Philippines in 1963 at PGH
- Bacarra, Ilocos Norte
- 1967, epidemic in Capillariasis in Pudoc, West Tagudin,
Ilocos Sur (approximately 1,300 persons became ill and 90
persons died of the infection).
 Adult worm is usually slender anteriorly and stout posteriorly
but tapering is gradual and less pronounce.
 Morphology
Male adult worm Female adult worm Ova- larva

•1.5-3.9 mm in length •2.3-5.3 mm in length • 42x20um

•Characterized by caudal alae •Body is divided into 2 equal •Single or 2 stage development
and long, non spiny sheaths. parts. •Similar to trichuris egg but
• Spicule -copulatory organ • anterioresophagus+esophageal smaller and more oval in shape
glands. • shell is thick with striations
•Posterior –intestine, hence peanut shape. With
reproductive organs with slightly bipolar mucous plugs but are
prominent vulva not protuberant.
•2 types of female-
Larviparous(population build
up), Oviparous (infection)
Female worm Male worm
Larva Ova
Life cycle
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features(S&S) DX test T/P/C

•Intestinal capillariasis . Abdominal pain . DFS- eggs passed out in •Mebendazole

• borborygmi- gurgling of feces •Albendazole
•Ingestion of larvae from the stomach •Identification of larva •Fluid and electrolyte+
contaminated fish •Loss of wieght and worm in stool high protein diet
• vomiting
•Edema •Proper cooking of fresh
•Hypoproteinemia- water fish(IH)
malabsorption due to • Proper sanitation-
destruction of intestinal disposal of feces
wall
 Occurs elsewhere in the Philippines, and in
Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Egypt, Iran, Colombia
 various fresh water fish are eaten raw
 C. hepatica- hepatic capillariasis
 C.aerophila- pulmonary capillariasis
Ascaris lumbricoides p.240
 Found in the temperate and tropical areas of the
globe, under conditions of poor sanitation and where
feces are used for fertilizers. (cosmopolitan parasite)
 Affects more of the world’s population than any other
parasitic disease. (1.3 billion; China-500 million)
 “Giant Intestinal round worm”- (tribute to its
resemblance to the earhtworm)-“Lumbricus”
 Pink worm
 A.suum- pigs
 Morphology
Male adult worm Female adult worm Ova-Infective stage
•10-31 cm x 2-4mm •22-35/49 cm x 3-6mm •Fertilized- 45-70um x 35-50um
•Golden brown
•Smooth straited cuticles •Smooth straited cuticle •Outer albuminoid coating-
•Terminal mouth with 3 lips w/a •Mouth with 3 lips w/a sensory coarsely mamillated which may be
sensory papillae papillae absent (decorticated)
•They have ventrally curved •They have paired reproductive •Thick, transparent hyaline shell
posterior end with 2 spicules organs in the posterior 2/3 w/ a thick outer layer and a
•Posteriro end is conical and delicate vitelline lipoidal inner
straight membrane
•Can lay 200,000 eggs/day • develops larva-14 days
•Unfertilitized- 88-94 x 39-
44um
•Golden brown
•Thin shelled w/ mamillated
irregular coat filled with refractile
granules
•Found only in the absence of
males
Adult worm Ova
Cross section of Ascaris
Life cycle
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features (S&S) DX test T/P/C

Ascariasis •Bowel obstruction or •DFS-eggs •Mebendazole

Ascaris obstruction of other organs •Kato-katz •Albendazole
pneumonitis (appendix) in heavy infxn •Recovery of worms in •Pyrantel pamoate
(loeffler’s •Asthma, pneumonitis- due to stool, sputum •Piperazine citrate
pneumonia/endoca migration of the juvenile worm •Radiographic images may
rditis/ syndrome) to the lungs also reveal their presence •Proper hygiene-hand
eosinophilic •Cardiac damage- eosinophilic washing
pneumonia- granular proteins •Proper sanitation-disposal
parasitic infxn • Fever, malaise of feces
•Abdominal distension and •Avoid using fecal matter as
tenderness, vomiting fertilizers
Ingestion of •Education-public
fertilized ova-
Infective stage (ST)
Strongyloides stercoralis p. 256
 Occurs in the tropical and subtropical areas of abundant
rainfall. Loose sandy loam soil, ambient temperature.
 “Threadworm”
 Free-living generation=male & female; parasitic generation=
parthenogenetic females
 Male worms are eliminated from the body early in the infxn.
 DH- man, cats, dogs, other mammals
 Prevalence rate is lower compared to hookworm infxn.
 Infxn may persist due to autoinfection
 Morphology
Male adult worm Female adult worm Larvae-Infective stage/ Ova

• 0.7mm x .04 mm • 1mm x .06 mm •RHABDITIFORM– 225um

• free-living; smaller than the x 16um
• free-living parasitic •Elongated w/ pyriform
•Smaller than the females •Muscular double-bulbed posterior bulb
•Ventrally curved tail with 2 esophagus and the intestine is •Slightly smaller than HW and
copulatory spicules a straight cylindrical less attenuated posteriorly
gubernaculum •Shorter buccal capsule and
• No caudal alae • 2.2mm x .04 mm larger genital primordium
•Does not persist in the host •Parasitic- colorless, semi-
transparent, w/ finely starited •FILARIFORM- Infective
cuticle stage and the non-feeding stge
•It has slender tapering anterior •550 um
end and a short conical pointed •Similar to HW but smaller
tail with a distinct cleft(notched) at
•Short buccal cavity w/ long the tip of the tail
slender esophagus that extends
1/4 of the body, intestine is
continous to the anus
Female adult worm

• Vulva is located 1/3 the length •OVA- rarely seen in the stool
of the body from the posterior
end •Clear, thin shell similar to HW,
• the uteri contain a single file 8 8-cell stage development. Larva
to 12 thin shelled , transparent, inside
segmented ova • 50-58um x 30-34 um
•Parthenogenetic
P. female
Rhaditiform Filariform
larva larva
Filariform larvae
Ova
Ova
A.Worm Larva migrans
Life cycle
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features (S&S) DX test T/P/C

•Strongyloidiasis •Lesions – intense itching at the site of • Identification of •Albendazole

penetration larva in stool •Ivermectin
•Filariform larva- •Pneumonitis- migration of worm to the • Sputum exam
soil/skin lungs •DFS •Proper sanitation-
penetration •Moderate to severe diaarhea •FECT disposal of feces
•DH-humans, •Malabsorption syndrome w/ steatorrhea •Baermann •Avoid walking
monkeys •Malnutrition technique. CH 14 barefooted on soil
•Ulcers- LGIT and UGIT- bleeding pg. 407
• Hyperinfection-AIDS or •Agar plate
immunocompromise pts. method
•Transmitted- mammary glands, organ
transplant
Enterobius vermicularis p. 246
 “Pinworm, seatworm, Oxyuris”
 Most common helminth parasite of the temperate
regions but, common to tropics and sub tropics region
 Found in families of high socioeconomic status where
sanitation levels are relatively rigorous
 Spread is facilitated by crowded indoor living in
temperate climates- orphanages, hospitals, sanitariums.
 Pinworms caused no disfiguring or debilitating effects
but, their presence is an embarrassment and irritation
 Morphology
Male adult worm Female adult worm Ova-Infective stage

•2-5 mm x 0.1-0.2 mm in • 8-13 mm x 0.3-0.5 mm in • 50-60um x 55-36um

diameter diameter
•Fully embryonated. Infective in
•Smaller than the female • light yellowish white in color 4-6 hrs. total time from ingestion
worm •Long, thin sharply pointed tail to maturity is 6 weeks
•Oral end is provided w/ 3 lips •The uteri of the gravid female are •Asymmetrical w/ one side
and a pair of lateral cephalic distended with eggs flattened and the other convex.
alae. •Can lay eggs as much as 4,600- •Translucent shell consists of an
•Posterior end is curved 16,000 eggs daily outer triple albuminous
ventral w/ caudal alae •Females dies soon after layer(mechanical protection),
supported by 6 pairs of caudal oviposition Inner lipoidal
papillae •More females than males in the membrane(chemical protection)
•They are rarely seen bec. host • live longest under conditions of
They die after copulation fairly high humidity and
moderate temperature
•Light can be airborne, carried
by dust
Male &Female adult worm
Adult worm Ova
Life cycle
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features DX test T/P/C
(S&S)
Enterobiasis •Pruritus ani-migration •Cellophane tape swab- •Albendazole
Oxyuriasis of female worm to the recovery of ova in the •Mebendazole
anus during the resting peri-anal region •Pyrantel pamoate
Ova- infected stage- state-itching
ingestion/ retroinfection •Vaginal migration- •Usually performed •Quarantine/ Tx for
causing irritation before pts. Bowel entire members of the
•Appendix, liver, lungs movement or taking a family- disinfect
•retrofection bath contaminated
fomites(clothings,
beddings, towels,etc.)
•Proper hygiene-
washing of hands
•Education-family
FAMILY ANCYLOSTOMIDAE p. 248
foundations of parasitology (8th ed.) ch.25
 “Hookworms”
 Most species are stout, and the anterior end is curved
dorsally, giving the worm a hook like appearance
 live in their host’s intestine , attaching to the mucosa and
feeding on blood and tissue fluids sucked from it.
 Common in tropics and sub tropics with abundant rainfall,
ambient temperature, loose sandy loam soil.
 Necator americanus- New world HW; introduce from
Africa(south of Sahara) with the slave trade.
 The only HW found in North and South America, India,
China, SE Asia, Indonesia, SW pacific, parts of Australia
 Ancylostoma duodenale- Old world HW; the only
HW of Europe and the areas bordering the
Mediterranean, West coast of South America, parts of
India and China(N.americanus), Brazil, SE Asia,
Indonesia, South and Southwest Pacific
 Ancylostoma braziliense- found in domestic (cats&
dogs) and wild carnivores in most tropics.
 Human infxn found in Brazil, Africa, India, Sri Lanka,
Indonesia, Philippines
 Ancylostoma caninum- the most common HW
of domestic dogs in the Northern Hemisphere
 Common cause of creeping eruptions
 Eosinophilic enteritis in Northern Australia and the
US.
 Ancylostoma ceylanicum- a parasite of the
carnivores in Sri Lanka, SE Asia, East Indies,
Philippines.
General characteristics
 Most species are stout, and the anterior end is curved
dorsally, giving the worm a hook like appearance.
 Buccal capsule is large and hardened by fibrous tissue
and usually armed with cutting plates, teeth, lancets or
a dorsal cone. Lips are reduce or absent
 The esophagus is stout with a swollen posterior end
giving it a club shape. It is mainly muscular,
corresponding to its action as a powerful pump
 Males have spicules, needle like and are provided
with conspicuous copulatory bursa, consisting
of 2 broad lateral lobes and a smaller dorsal lobe.
All supported by a fleshy ray. ( important
taxonomic characteristics)
 Females have a simple, conical tail
 The vulva is postequatorial, and 2 ovaries are
present
 About 5% of the daily output of eggs are found in
the uteri at any one time.
Buccal & tail Bursa copulatrix
N. Americanus A. duodenale
A.caninum A. braziliense
 Morphology
Male adult worm Female adult worm Ova Larva- Infective
stage
N. americanus • 9-11mm x 0.35mm • 64-76 um x 36- Filariform- Inf.
• 5-9mm x 0.3 mm •Blunt posterior end 40 um Stage-700um
•Small, cylindrical, fusiform, •Buccal capsule- same w/ male •Regularly oval
grayish white shorter than the •5,000-10,000 eggs daily •Colorless and • non feeding stage
female • life span-18 years usually seen in 2-8 •buccal spears are
•Buccal capsule- ventral pair of cell stages conspicuous and
semilunar cutting plates on parallel throughout
either side of the median line their lengths
•Tail is pointed
covered w/ sheath

A. duodenale
• 1 cm x 0.5 mm-larger than •Incospicuous
americanus • 12-15 mm x 0.7 mm buccal spears
• Buccal capsule- 2 pairs of •Blunt posterior end •Tail is pointed
curved ventral teeth on either •Buccal capsule- same w/ males curved w/ sheath
side of the median line •10,000-30,000 eggs daily
• life span- 1-5 years
 Larva

A.braziliense Rhabditiform- feeding stage

• Buccal capsule- pair of big • resembles that of
teeth Strongyloides, but larger
• Parasite of dogs and cats •More attenuated
and wild carnivores posteriorly(pointed)
•Longer buccal capsule
A.caninum •Genital primordium is
• Buccal capsule- 3 pairs of incospicuous
ventral teeth, the
innermost is the smallest
• Parasite of dogs only

A.ceylanicum
• Buccal capsule- 2 pairs of
ventral teeth but the
outer pair is bigger than
the inner
• Parasite of dogs and wild
carnivores
Life cycle
Larva
Filariform larva
Rhabditiform larva
Ova
Ova
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features (S&S) DX test T/P/C

Hookworm disease • Allergic rxn- ground •DFS- ova (2- 8 cell stage) •Albendazole
Ancylostomiasis itch(dermatitis, pruritus, •Mebendazole
Necatoriasis 2nd infxn) •Larva cannot be seen in •Pyrantel pamoate
Uncinariasis •CLM- serpiginous stool until after 24 hrs. At •Ferrous sulfate
Cutaneous Larva tunnels( A. braziliense, rm. temp.,must be
Migrans(creeping eruption) caninum) differentiated w/ S. •Education- public
•Eosinophilic Enteritis- stercoralis •Proper hygiene-proper
Filaform- skin A.caninum disposal of feces
penetration/soil(Inf. Stage) •Pneumonitis- not as •Avoid walking barefooted
prominent as Ascaris on soil.
•Gastrointestinal
discomfort- pain, diaarhea,
flatulence
• Microcytic hypochromic
type anaemia- A. duodenale
sucks 0.26 ml of blood/
day/worm. N. americanus
sucks 0.03ml/ day/worm
Creeping eruptions
BLOOD & TISSUE- DWELLING
NEMATODES
 The “Microfilariae group”
 Requires an arthropod as an intermediate host
 Diagnosis is made by examining thick and thin Giemsa
stained blood smears. ( except O.volvulus-skin scrapings
from nodular lesions)
 They exhibit periodicity.

1. Wuchereria bancrofti
2. Brugia malayi
3. Loa loa
4. Onchocerca volvulus
General characteristics
 Long, threadlike nematodes
 Various species inhabit the human lymphatic
system, while others the subcutaneous and deep
connective tissues
 The adults of all species of filariae are parasites of
vertebrate host
 The adult female worm produce eggs that during
their development become elongate and wormlike
in appearance. “Microfilariae” (Ovoviviparous)
 Mf migrate within the vascular system and through
the tissues
 Mf can live a long time in the body of the
vertebrate host but will not undergo further
development
 Developing further only when ingested by their IH
and vector, an Insect. Transforming into infective
larva
 Lymphatic filariasis
Wuchereria bancrofti
Ch. 9
 Cosmopolitan in distribution- tropics and sub tropics
 Originated in SE asia in early civilization(bc),
parasitizing Indonesian leaf monkeys
 Recent prevalence rate is 120million cases globally
 Diseases:
- Bancroftian filariasis
- Wucheriasis
- Elephantiasis
 MORPHOLOGY
Male-adult worm Female-adult worm Microfilariae- Dx stage

•20-40 um x 0.1mm in diameter •80-100 um x 0.24-0.3 mm in •Minute snake-like organism

diameter constantly moving among the
• copulatory spicules are RBC
distinctly unequal and dissimilar •Vulva is cervical in position(near •270-290 um enclosed in a
•Gubernaculums is cresent- the level of the middle of the hyaline sheath w/c is much
shaped esophagus) longer than its body
•Caudal end is curved ventranlly •Posterior end is narrow and •Contains nuclei along the axis
•Found tightly coiled in nodular abruptly pointed of its body
dilations in lymph vessels and •Found tightly coiled in nodular •Conspicuously arrange in2-3
sinuses of lymph glands dilations in lymph vessels and rows and do not extend to the
sinuses of lymph glands tip
Male Female
Microfilaria
Life cycle
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features (S&S) DX test T/P/C

Bancroftian filariasis •Asymptomatic-”endemic •Blood smear •DEC- diethylcarbamazine

Wucheriasis individuals”- tolerance of the (Thick & Thin •Ivermectin
Elephantiasis immune system w/c does not preparation) stained
recognize the worm as foreign- w/ Giemsa stain-
Mosquito bite- Anopheles & “microfilaremia”. identify •Eradicate breeding areas
Culex- nocturnal periodic • some will develop Renal microfilariae- of mosquitoes
strain (hematuria/proteinuria) and sheathed w/ no •Pest control
Aedes- subperiodic Pacific Lymphatic dse. – Hydrocele nuclei at the tip of •Mosquito nets
strain •Inflammmatory (acute)- the tail. •Tx of infected individuals
fever( high 1-2 days and gradually
subsides after 2-5 days). •Serologic test-
Lymphangitis-inflammation of the ELISA employing
lymphatic vessels. Lymphadenitis- monoclonal abs to
inflammation of the lymph nodes. detect circulating
Affects the limbs, breast, Ag.
scrotum(orchitis) epididymitis •ICT- whole blood
(spermatic cord) or elsewhere. Ag card test
Chyluria-lymph in the urine
Clinical features (S&S)

.Obstructive phase- •Nocturnal

blockage of the lymph periodicity-9pm-
vessels- dilating it and the 2am is their
accumulation of chyle.-Milky greatest conc in
urine the blood

Elephantiasis- The enlargement •Subperiodic-

of one or more limbs, scrotum, exhibit
breast, or vulva w/ dermal microfilaremia at
hypertrophy and varicose all times but most
changes. between noon
and 8 pm.
Adult worms are found in the
lymph vessel throughout the
body. -Axillary, epitrochlear,
inguinal, pelvic nodes, testis,
epididymis, spermatic cord.
Worms die and tend to calcify
Elephantiasis
Brugia malayi p. 285
 Malayan form of lymphatic filariasis- “Malayan
filariasis”
 Common in the Far east. 30% occur in South
China, 20% in India. While the rest occur in
Thailand,Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines
and South Korea
 exhibit nocturnal periodicity in the blood stream
 Pathology is similar to W. bancrofti but confined to
lower extremities
 Mosquito vector belongs to genus Mansonia and
some Anopheles
 Diagnosis- Blood smear (Thin & Thick)
 T/P/C- same with bancrofti
 Microfilariae- 177-230 um in length. Sheathed, body
nuclei extends almost to the tip of the tail. 2
terminal nuclei are distinctly separate from the
others in the tail.
Microfilariae
Loa-loa p. 289
 “African eye worm”
 Found in the rain forest of Sudan, Congo and West
Africa.
 The scientific name is a native term for the worm.
Discovered during the slave trade
 Migrates into the conjunctival tissue across the eyeball.
 Exhibit diurnal periodicity (Mf is shed in the
bloodstream day or night)
 Microfilarae- 275 um in length. Sheathed, nuclei extends
to the tip of the tail
Microfilariae
Lifecycle
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features (S&S) DX test T/P/C

Loiasis •Calabar swelling- allergic reaction to •Blood smear-(thin • DEC

the metabolic products of the worm and thick) • Ivermectin
or dead worms when they appear in Giemsa stain •Surgical removal of
Bites of Mango fly- one area. (Wrist & ankle) the worm in the eye
genus Chrysops •Localize pain and pruritus
•Appearance of the worm in the •Pest control
conjunctivae •Control breeding
•Migration of adult worm through areas of the insect
the tissues vectors
Calabar swelling
Onchocerca volvulus p. 294
 Also known as the “Blinding Worm”
 Disease:
- Onchocerciasis
- Onchocercosis
- River blindness
 Microfilariae
- only pathogenic tissue
nematode which is not
sheathed
- no nuclei at the tip of the
tail
- found in nodules under skin,
not in peripheral blood
Microfilarae
Clinical Significance/Disease:

- severe dermatitis
- microfilaria in ocular
structures may result
in blindness (trachoma)
- leading cause of
blindness in Africa
• T/P/C- similar to other
filariasis
Lifecycle
 Diagnosis:
- demonstrate from skin
snips/tissue scrapings unsheathed
microfilariae with no nuclei in tail
Nodules- encapsulation of adult worm in a
fibrous tissue tumor-like mass
Microfilariae Disease Arthropod Diagnostic
Vector stage found in

W. bancrofti Elephantiasis Mosquito Blood

(Culex/
Anopheles)

B. Malayi Elephantiasis Mosquito Blood

(Mansonia)

L. Loa Calabar Fly Blood

swelling (Chrysops)
Blindness

O. volvulus River Fly Tissue from

blindness (Simulian) nodule
Life Cycle of Tissue
Nematodes:

1. Ingestion of the microfilariae from the blood or

tissues by a blood-sucking insect.

2. The metamorphosis of the microfilaria in the

arthropod vector 1st into rhabditiform larva
and then into an infectious filariform larva.
3. The transfer of the infective larva to the skin of a new
host by the proboscis of the biting insect.

4. The development of the larva after entry to the bite

wound into a mature worm at its selective site.

 NB:
TPE or tropical pulmonary
eosinophilia is associated with the
microfilariae of these nematodes
Dracunculus medinensis p. 302
Common Name:
• “Guinea worm”
• “Fiery serpent”
• “Medina Worm”
• Important parasite in ME (SA, Iran, Yemen),central
India, Pakistan, Africa.
• North America-parasites of dogs and other
carnivores
Disease:
• Dracunculiasis
Dm
 parasite is frequently found in the subcutaneous
tissues and muscles of humans, dogs, and
sometimes cattle and horses.

 The disease causes cutaneous nodules and

subsequent ulcers.
Dm
Morphology:

 Males are small (1.2-2.9 cm long)

 Females measures 60cm in length
 The larvae, which measure between 500 and 700
micrometers, can live for 6 days in clean water and
2 to 3 weeks in muddy water.
Larvae
Life cycle
Life Cycle:
 Infective Stage – 3rd stage larva
 Definitive host – humans, dogs, horses
 Intermediate host - cyclops
Intermediate host
Dm
Treatment:
• Surgical removal of Worm
• Metronidazole/Thiabendazole- does not kill but
facilitates removal
• Mebendazole- kills them
• Filtering water sources
• Avoid contact with contaminated water
Angiostrongylus cantonensis
p.312

 “ Rat lungworm”- zoonotic disease

 Was first discovered in pulmonary arteries and
the heart of domestic rats in Canton, China in
1935 (Chen)
 The worm normally lives in the lungs of rats but
can cause eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in man
 Morphology
Male adult worm Female adult worm Ova

• 16-19mm x 0.26 mm in • 21-25 mm x 0.30-0.36 mm in • 46-48 um x 68 um

diameter diameter
• Thin shelled
• pale, filiform (slender) , • has uterine tubules w/c is • unembryonated when
delicate worm intertwined around the oviposited (laid)
• They have a well develop intestines giving it a barber-
caudal bursa (kidney shaped, pole appearance
single lobed) • can lay 15,000 eggs daily
• they have long spicule
Adult worm

A. Adult female worm with

characteristic barber-pole
appearance (anterior end of worm
is to the top).

B. B. Tail of adult male, showing

copulatory bursa and long spicules
(arrows).
Ova
Life cycle

• Infective stage – 3rd stage larva

• Definitive host – rats, humans
• Intermediate host – snails, slugs
(Achantina fulica)
• Paratenic host- Fresh water shrimps, land
crabs, frogs
Life cycle
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features (S&S) DX test T/P/C

• Eosinophilic • presence of worms in the blood • relatively difficult to • No tx available

meningitis vessels of the brain and meninges diagnose
and free wandering worm in the • History of travel to • proper cooking of meat
brain tissue endemic areas/ food and fish- ( never eat raw
• Ingestion of IH/PH • severe headache, fever, paralysis of habits-presumptive and insufficiently cooked
infected w/ 3rd stage the lower extremities, stiff neck, diagnosis meat and fish)
larva coma, and death • CSF exam- increased • elimination of IH
• destruction of the brain and spinal number of eosinophil • wash vegetables properly
cord cells by trauma and immune and lymphocytes.
response due to dead worms results Identification of
in vague symptoms immature worms
• Eosinophil counts are high in • CT scan
peripheral blood and CSF as well as •ELISA
lymphocytosis in CSF.
Gnathostoma spinigerum p. 315
 1836, Richard Owen-British anatomist
 In the stomach wall of a tiger that had died in the
London zoo
 Common in Japan, Thailand, China, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Philippines, Israel, Mexico, Tanzania.
 Raw and pickled fish are part of the diet
General characteristic
 Stout and pink in color
 The swollen head bulb is covered with 4 circles of
stout spines
 Anterior half of the body is covered with
transverse rows of flat,toothed spines. Followed by
a bare portion
 The posterior tip of the body has numerous tiny
cuticular spines
 Morphology
Male adult worm Female adult worm Ova

• 11-25mm long • 25-54 mm long • 65-70 um x 30-40 um

• has pseudobursa w/ 4 pairs of • has 2 uteri and a vulva that is •Ovoidal transparent,
peri-anal papillae and 2 unequal situated in a slightly post superficially pitted
spicules equatorial position • mucoid plug is found in one
end
• unembryonated when
deposited
Adult worm
Ova
Life cycle
 Infective stage- 1st-3rd stage larva
 Definitive host- Domestic and wild felines and
canines, swine
 1st -Intermediate host- copepods
 2nd –Intermediate host- fresh water fish, frogs
 Paratenic host- crustaceans, freshwater fishes,
amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals
 Opichephalus argu, Anas platyrhynchos, Gallus
domesticus
Paratenic host/I. host
 Pathology
Disease Clinical features (S&S) DX test T/P/C

Gnathostomiasis • a few days after ingestion- larva • CT scan- sub- • Albendazole

migrates in the intestinal wall and arachnoid • Ivermectin
into the abdominal cavity hemorrhages
Ingestion of IH/PH • epigastric pain, fever, vomiting, • Surgical removal of
infected w/ 3rd stage anorexia • presumptive the worms from the
larva • CLM- creeping eruptions- diagnosis- patient’s subcutaneous.
swollen red trails- pruritus, rash, history and food
and stabbing pain habits • Proper cooking of
• erratic migration- eye • Biopsy- recovery meat and Fish
(blindness), brain, spinal cord and identification
(eosinophilic myeloencephalitis)- of the worm
sudden severe nerve root pain,
paralysis, sensory impairment
 THE END