Adventist University of the Philippines

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Biology Department
Activity # 13
THE HELMINTHES

INTRODUCTION:
Parasitic worms, also known as helminths, are large macroparasites; adults can generally be
seen with the naked eye. Many are intestinal worms that are soil-transmitted and infect the
gastrointestinal tract. Other parasitic worms such as schistosomes reside in blood vessels. It
affects the health of children and adults that may lead to malnourishment and anemic.

OBJECTIVES: 1. Identify and classify various helminth representatives

2. Compare male from female ascaris and F. hepatica from F. gigantica
3. Examine the presence of ova, larvae, and adult in stools /isaw (chicken
intestines)

PROCEDURE:
1. After listening to the discussion and watching the uploaded videos, answer the
following:

Materials:
Readings
Power point in Helminths
Ascaris: male or female?
https://sciencing.com/ascaris-male-female-8181083.html
Tapeworms and flukes
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8282/
Deworming of children
https://www.who.int/elena/titles/deworming/en/
Fecal analysis
https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Davis-Lab-and-Diagnostic-
Tests/425326/all/Fecal_Analysis

VIDEO:
Fecal analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ePqcdDKCe0
 Scientific Common Phylum Class Definitive / Mode of
Name Name Aschelminthes Nematoda, Intermediate transmission
or Cestoda or host Oral – fecal
Platyhelminthes Trematoda Man, or food -
Copepods or borne
snails
Enterobius Aschelminthes Man Oral – fecal
vermicularis Pinworm Nematoda

Human Platyhelminthes Nematoda Man Oral – fecal

Trichuris Whipworm transmission
trichuria
Pork Worm Platyhelminthes Nematoda Man Oral – fecal
Trichinella transmission
spiralis
Pork Platyhelminthes Cestoda Man Oral – fecal
Taenia solium Tapeworm transmission

Blood Fluke Platyhelminthes Trematoda Snails Oral – fecal

Schistosoma transmission
japonicum
Human Aschelminthes Nematoda Man Oral – fecal
Ascaris Roundworm transmission
lumbricoides
Common Platyhelminthes Trematoda Snail Food-borne
Fasciola Liver Fluke
hepatica or Sheep
Liver Fluke
Common Platyhelminthes Trematoda Snail Food-borne
Fasciola Liver Fluke
gigantica
Poultry Aschelminthes Nematoda Oral – fecal
Ascaridia gali Common transmission
Roundworm
Nodular Platyhelminthes Cestoda Man Oral – fecal
Railletina Tapeworm transmission
echinobothrida
Tococara cati Feline Aschelminthes Nematoda Copepods Trans-
Roundworm mammary
transmission
COMPARE THE FOLLOWING:
FEMALE ASCARIS MALE ASCARIS
Wide, long and straight Thin, short and hooked

No such opening
Reproductive opening is present in the
posterior third of the body
A single straight tube is present
Two tubes are present in a Y shaped
structure
20-40 cm in length 15-30 cm in length

PICTURE OF MALE VS FEMALE ASCARIS Attach the pictures here from the internet or preserved
specimen:
MALE ASCARIS FEMALE ASCARIS

F. hepatica from F. gigantica Attach the picture here from the internet or preserved specimen
Fasciola gigantica
Fasciola hepatica
PICTURES from the internet:
E. vermicularis T. trichuria T. spiralis

T. solium S. japonicum male & female A. lumbricoides Male

cross section

A. Lumbricoides Female F. hepatica F. Gigantica

Cross section

Dipylidium Caninum Ascaris lumbricoides T. saginata mature segment

male cross section

Ascaris lumbricoides Taenia saginata (ova)

Female
cross section
Observation of ova, larvae or adult parasite in stool or feces:
PROCEDURE:

1. Take a small amount of feces (i.e., the amount of feces adhering to a rectal
thermometer) and emulsify with a few drops of water on a glass slide. The resultant
mixture should not be opaque (place the slide on top of this page – if you can’t see the
letters on this page under the mixture, the mixture is too thick→ add more water or
use less feces).
2. Add a coverslip and examine under 100x magnification (eyepiece 10x * objective 10x =
100x total magnification) and 400x magnification. Be sure to reduce brightness (adjust
light intensity) and increase contrast (adjust condenser to down position) so that eggs or
trophozoites and their internal structures are easily seen.
3. Examine entire smear systematically for parasite ova, worm larvae, or protozoan
structures.

Results: (if performed in the lab, take the picture or draw. If online lab, take a picture from the
internet:
Isaw (chicken intestine) presence of egg or Fecal analysis Presence of egg or larvae
larvae

GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. Why should a person undergo deworming?
Deworming, which is necessary for those infected with these worms, aims to get
rid of the worms and any illness that can cause the patient any discomfort. Deworming
 is thought to improve one's health by enabling one to absorb the essential nutrients
needed by the body, aiding the kid or person in overcoming malnutrition and assisting
them in gaining weight.

2. Explain the importance of fecal analysis?

A stool or fecal analysis is an array of tests performed on a stool (or feces)
sample to assist in the diagnosis of specific digestive system diseases. Infection (caused
by bacteria, viruses, or parasites), inadequate food absorption, or cancer are a few
examples of these illnesses.

3. Identify important medicines against:

A. Ascaris - albendazole, mebendazole, or ivermectin
B. Tapeworm - Praziquantel (Biltricide). Albendazole. Nitazoxanide (Alinia).
C. Flukes – Praziquantel

4. What are the mode of transmission for the following:

A. Ascaris - Oral – fecal transmission
B. Tapeworm - Oral – fecal transmission
C. Flukes - Food-borne

5. Why is handwashing considered the cheapest yet effective means of controlling human
endoparasites?
Handwashing with soap removes germs from hands. This lessens the risk of
infection. It reduces the proportion of persons who contract diarrhea, diarrheal
illnesses in immune-compromised individuals, respiratory infections like colds, and
decreases gastrointestinal illness-related absences. Early handwashing techniques may,
in some circumstances, enhance a child's development. Handwashing also helps battle
the rise in antibiotic resistance.
References: at least three from the internet with their links:

280 Enterobius Vermicularis Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock. (n.d.). Shutterstock.

https://www.shutterstock.com/search/enterobius-vermicularis

Admin. (2022). Ascaris lumbricoides: Roundworm. Biology Educare.

https://biologyeducare.com/ascaris-lumbricoides/

Ascaris lumbricoides – Female Cross Section – Parasitology. (n.d.).

https://parasitology.ou.ac.lk/ascaris-lumbricoides-female-cross-section/

Ascaris lumbricoides – Male Cross Section – Parasitology. (n.d.).

https://parasitology.ou.ac.lk/ascaris-lumbricoides-male-cross-section/

Ballweber, L. R. (2023, April 17). Fasciola hepatica in Ruminants. MSD Veterinary Manual.

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive-system/fluke-infections-in-ruminants/fasciola-

hepatica-in-ruminants

CDC - Ascariasis - Resources for Health Professionals. (n.d.).

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/ascariasis/health_professionals/index.html#:~:text=Ascari

asis%20is%20treated%20with%20albendazole,should%20be%20taken%20with%20food.

CDC - DPDx - Ascariasis. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/ascariasis/index.html

CDC - DPDx - Taeniasis. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/taeniasis/index.html

Dr.Samanthi. (2019, March 25). Difference Between Male and Female Ascaris. Compare the

Difference Between Similar Terms. https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-

between-male-and-female-ascaris/

Figure 4. Examples of helminth eggs detected in fecal sampling. A). . . (n.d.). ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Examples-of-helminth-eggs-detected-in-fecal-

sampling-A-strongyle-Strongylida-parasite_fig4_237827456
Figure1: Morphology of Fasciola spp. (n.d.). ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figure1-Morphology-of-Fasciola-

spp_fig3_316419845

Medical Labs. (n.d.). Trichuris trichiura | Medical Laboratories. http://www.medical-

labs.net/trichuris-trichiura-3228/

Roundworm (Female) with Labels - Ascaris lumbricoides - by Christine Young - JungleDragon.

(n.d.). JungleDragon.

https://www.jungledragon.com/image/118183/roundworm_female_with_labels_-

_ascaris_lumbricoides.html

Salem, H. F., & Attia, M. M. (2021). Accidental intestinal myiasis caused by Musca domestica

L. (Diptera: Muscidae) larvae in broiler chickens: a field study. International Journal of

Tropical Insect Science, 41(4), 2549–2554. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-021-00492-w

Stool analysis. (n.d.). UK HealthCare. https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/digestive-health-

program/diagnosis/stool-analysis#:~:text=Stool%20analysis%3A%20Overview-

,A%20stool%20analysis%20is%20a%20series%20of%20tests%20done%20on,poor%20n

utrient%20absorption%2C%20or%20cancer.

Taenia solium. (n.d.). http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/geske_rich/

Tapeworm infection - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic. (2023, January 5).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tapeworm/diagnosis-treatment/drc-

20378178#:~:text=Treatment%20for%20tapeworm%20infection&text=These%20include

%3A,Nitazoxanide%20(Alinia).

The DOG TAPEWORM, DIPYLIDIUM CANINUM, parasitic cestode of DOGS and CATS.

Biology, prevention and control. (2021, July 12).

 https://parasitipedia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2623&Itemid

=2902

TIMESOFINDIA.COM. (2019, October 13). Deworming allows the child to have a better

growth. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-

style/parenting/toddler-year-and-beyond/deworming-allows-the-child-to-have-a-better-

growth/articleshow/71554787.cms

Trematodes. (n.d.). https://www.microbiologybook.org/parasitology/trematodes.htm

Trichinella spiralis - parasitic nematoda worm microscope Stock Photo. (n.d.). Adobe Stock.

https://stock.adobe.com/ca/images/trichinella-spiralis-parasitic-nematoda-worm-

microscope/351492345

Why Wash Your Hands? Read the Science Behind the Recommendations. (n.d.).

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html

Wikipedia contributors. (2021). Fasciola gigantica. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasciola_gigantica