Stage of

Species Size Shape Color Development When Specific Features And Variations
Passed

Nematodes

Enterobius vermicularis 55 m x 26 m Elongated, asymmetrical with Colorless. Embryonated. Contains Smooth, thin eggshell with one flattened side. Occasionally
one side flattened, other side C shaped or tadpole- may contain a fully developed larva. (More readily found on
Range, 50-60 m 20- convex. like embryo. anal swabs than in feces).
32 m.

Ascaris lumbricoides

fertile egg 60 m x 45 m. Range, 45- Round or ovoidal. with Brown or yellow brown. 1 cell, separated from Mammillated albuminous coat or covering on outer shell.
thick shell. the shell at both ends. Coat is sometimes lost and decorticated eggs have a colorless
70m x 35-45 m. shell with gray or black internal material. Eggs may be in 2,
4, or more cells, or contain a fully developed larva.

infertile egg 90 m x 40 m. Range, 85- Elongated, occasionally Brown. Internal material is a Mammillated covering attenuated or missing in many cases.
triangular, kidney mass of irregular
95m x 35-45 m. shaped or other bizarre globules and granules
forms. Shell often very that fills shell.
thin.

Trichuris trichiura 54 m x 22 m. Range, 49- Elongated, barrel- Yellow to brown. 1 cell or unsegmented. Polar plugs are distinctive. Eggs occasionally are oriented in
shaped with a polar "Plugs" are colorless. a vertical or slanted position and may not be readily
65m x 20-29 m. "plug" at each end. recognized. A gentle tap on the coverslip will usually reorient
the egg. On rare occasions, atypical eggs lacking polar plugs
may be seen.

Hookworm

Ancylostoma duodenale 60 m x 40 m. Range, 57- Oval or ellipsoidal with Colorless with grayish 4- to 8-cell stage. Occasionally, eggs in advanced cleavage (16 or more cells) or
a thin shell. cells. even embryonated may be seen. Rhabditiform larvae may be
76m x 35-47 m. present if the specimens are old. Species identification can
not be made on eggs alone; therefore, eggs should be
reported simply as hookworm.

Necator americanus 65 m x 40 m. Range, 57-

76m x 35-47 m.

Trichostrongylus species 90 m x 40 m. Range, 75- Elongated with one or Colorless with grayish May be in advanced Egg resembles hookworm egg but is larger and more pointed
both ends more pointed cells. cleavage or morula at the ends.
95m x 40-50 m. than hookworm. stage.

Table 5-1. Differential Morphology of the Diagnostic Stages of Helminths Found in Humans: Eggs (Nematodes) (SOURCE: CDC)
 RHABDITIFORM LARVA (First Stage. Has bulbed esophagus.)
Species Size
225 m × 16 m. Range, 200-
Strongyloides stercoralis
300 m × 16-20 m.
250 m × 17 m. Range, 200-
Hookworm
300 m × 14-17 m.
Table 5-1. Differential Morphology of the Diagnostic Stages of Helminths Found in Humans: Larvae (SOURCE: CDC)
FILARIFORM LARVA (Third Stage. Lacks prominent bulb in esophagus.)
Length of
Genital Primordium Buccal Cavity Size Tip of Tail
Esophagus
Prominent. Is an
Short, about 1/3-1/2
elongate, tapered, or Extends
as long as the width of 550 m × 20 m. Range, 500-
pointed structure located approximately 1/2 Notched.
the anterior end of the 550 m × 20-24 m.
along ventral wall about length of body.
body.
the body length.
Inconspicuous. Rarely
distinct. When seen, is Long. Approximately
500 m. Range, 500-700 m × Extends about 1/4
small, located nearer the as long as the width of Pointed.
20-24 m. 1ength of body.
tail than that the body.
ofStrongyloides.