Laboratory Activity 14

PHYLUM NEMATODA
Ascaris lumbricoides (Giant intestinal roundworm)
Enterobius vermicularies (human pinworm)
I. Introduction

Enteric nematodes are among the most common and widely distributed animal
parasites of humans. In his classic address to the American Society of Parasitologists in 1946,
entitled "This Wormy World, Stoll estimated 2.3 billion helminthic infections in a human
population of 2.2 billion. Since 1946, the world population has doubled and, by all
indications, enteric nematode infections of humans have kept pace. The most common
intestinal roundworms are those transmitted through contact with the soil (for example
Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, the hookworms, and Strongyloides stercoralis). In
Stoll's estimate, these worms, with Enterobius vermicularis, accounted for three-quarters of
all helminthic infections.
Most enteric nematodes have established a well-balanced host-parasite relationship
with the human host; humans tolerate these parasites well. Little disease is associated with
light infection, but when the worm load increases, a corresponding increase in disease usually
occurs. The worms may irritate the intestinal mucosa, causing inflammation and ulceration.
Some produce "toxic substances. The larger worms may become entangled and block the
intestinal tract. Larval worms that migrate through the tissue to complete their life cycle may
lose their way, end up in the wrong organ, and cause severe disease. Nutritional problems
occasionally are associated with the intestinal parasitosis, and persons with deficient diets
often suffer from polyparasitism.
Ascaris lumbricoides is distributed widely in tropical and subtropical areas, especially
in the developing countries of South America, Africa, and Asia. More than one billion
infections are estimated to exist at any given time. In rural areas of Asia, it is not unusual to
find 85 percent of the population passing Ascaris eggs. Prevalence rates are much lower in
the United States. Some people appear to be predisposed to infection with intestinal
helminths, including A lumbricoides. Some individuals are found to be constantly infected
and usually have a higher intensity of infections than others
II. Objectives:
At the end of the laboratory activity, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the morphological features of the Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius
vermicularis and
2. Draw and discuss the life cycle of Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis.
III. Materials
Compound light microscope
Prepared slides:
Ascaris lumbricoides anterior c.s
Ascaris lumbricoides male and female c.s
Enterobius vermicularis male and female w.m
IV. Procedure:
1. Request the needed materials in the laboratory stock room one day before the
laboratory activity will be performed.
2. Draw and label Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis in the prepared
slides as seen under LPO and HPO.
3. Make a schematic drawing of the life cycle:
a. Ascaris lumbricoides
b. Enterobius vermicularis
 Laboratory Activity 14
PHYLUM NEMATODA
Ascaris lumbricoides (Giant intestinal roundworm)
Enterobius vermicularies (human pinworm)
DATA SHEET

Name: Date: MAY 3, 2023

Group No.: 2 Score:

Data and Results:

A. Draw and label the Ascaris lumbricoides observed in the microscope.

Ascaris lumbricoides (male) Ascaris lumbricoides (male)

LPO HPO

Total Magnification:100x Total Magnification: 400x

 Ascaris lumbricoides (female) Ascaris lumbricoides (female)
LPO HPO

Total Magnification: 100x Total Magnification: 400x

Ascaris lumbricoides (ova) Ascaris lumbricoides (ova)

LPO HPO
Total Magnification:100x Total Magnification: 400x
 Ascaris lumbricoides (ant. Tri-radiate c.s) Ascaris lumbricoides (ant. Tri-radiate c.s)
LPO HPO

Total Magnification:100x Total Magnification: 400x

Enterobius vermicularis (male) Enterobius vermicularis (male)

LPO HPO

Total Magnification: 100x Total Magnification: 400x

 Enterobius vermicularis (female) Enterobius vermicularis (female)
LPO HPO

Total Magnification: 100x Total Magnification: 400x

Schematic drawing of the life cycle of:

A. Life cycle of Ascaris lumbricoides
 B. Life cycle of Enterobius vermicularis

Questions:

1. How would you determine which is male and female Ascaris lumbricoides? Explain
the differences.

Ascaris lumbricoides adults are big roundworms. Females are 20-35 cm long and have
straight tails; males are 15-31 cm long and have curved tails. Adults of both sexes
have three "lips" at the front of their bodies.

2. Compare the reproductive tract of male Enterobius vermicularis from female.

Image of a gravid adult female Enterobius vermicularis depositing eggs on perianal

folds. Infection occurs through self-inoculation (transferring eggs to the mouth with
scratched perianal area hands) or exposure to eggs in the environment. contaminated
surfaces, clothes, bed linens. picture. Following ingestion of infective eggs, larvae
hatch in the small intestine image and adults settle in the colon, usually in the cecum
image. The time span between ingestion of infective eggs and oviposition by adult
females is around one month. Adult females measure 8 to 13 mm and adult males 2 to
5 mm at full maturity; the adult life span is about two months. Gravid females travel
outside the anus at night and oviposit while crawling on the perianal skin surface.
Under ideal conditions, the larvae contained within the eggs develop (the eggs
become infective) in 4 to 6 hours image.
 3. How do we avoid infected with Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis.
Explain your answer.

Avoid coming into contact with soil that has been polluted with human excrement,
especially human feces used to fertilize crops ("night soil").
Before handling food, wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Teach youngsters the importance of hand washing to avoid infection.
Before eating any fresh vegetables or fruits, wash, peel, or cook them, especially if
they were grown in manure-fertilized soil.

Conclusions

As I participated in this laboratory task, I learned that enteric nematodes are the most
common and widely distributed animal parasites of humans. It also established a
well-balanced host-parasite relationship with the human host; humans tolerate this parasite
well.

References

CDC - DPDx - Ascariasis. (2019, July 19). CDC - DPDx - Ascariasis.

https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/ascariasis/index.html#:~:text=Adults%20of%20Ascaris%20lumbricoides%20are,a
nterior%20end%20of%20the%20body.

CDC - DPDx - Enterobiasis. (2019, August 5). CDC - DPDx - Enterobiasis.

https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/enterobiasis/index.html

CDC - Ascariasis - General Information - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). (2020, October 20).
CDC - Ascariasis - General Information - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/ascariasis/gen_info/faqs.html
 Laboratory Activity 15
PHYLUM NEMATODA
Trichuris trichuria (whipworm), Trichinella spiralis (pork worm) and
Capillaria philippinensis (pudoc worm)
I. Introduction
Trichuris trichiura is a metazoan parasite in the group of geohelminths, which means
that transmission of eggs is often from contaminated soil. Gravid Trichuris trichiura females
lay 3,000-20,000 unembryonated eggs every day that are excreted in the host feces. Humans
are the only known hosts of T. trichiura. Following excretion, fertilised Trichuris eggs will
mature into an embryonated infective stage, which, if consumed by a susceptible person will
establish a new cycle of infection.
Clinical manifestations vary and depend on the degree of infection. Light infections
are usually asymptomatic, whereas heavy infections may manifest with watery, mucus-laden,
bloody, painful diarrhea, which may progress into anemia and growth retardation if not
treated. Rectal prolapse is also associated with heavy infections. Diagnosis is made by
microscopic examination of stool samples and identification of unembryonated eggs.
Trichuriasis is effectively treated with albendazole and alternative treatments include
mebendazole, levamisole, ivermectine and pyrantel.
Preventive measures at the primary level include proper sanitation, safe water, and
food safety. Inactivation of embryonated ova by the use of urea and solar heat in bio-waste
has been proposed to inactivate ova. Education in hygienic practices is complementary to
water and sanitation. In the secondary level of prevention, mass chemotherapy among school
age children has been highly successful in its control, but due to heavy environmental
contamination may only provide a temporary reprieve before reinfection.
II. Objectives:
At the end of the laboratory activity, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the different representatives of Phylum Nematoda
2. Enumerate the different nematodes that cause different diseases caused by each
representative and
3. Draw and discuss the life cycle of nematodes.
III. Materials
Compound light microscope
Prepared slides
Trichinella spiralis larvae w.m Capillaria philippinensis larvae
Capillaria philippinensis ova Trichuris trichiura larvae
Trichuris trichiura larvae female w.m Trichuris trichiura ova
IV. Procedure:
1. Request the needed materials in the laboratory stock room one day before the
laboratory activity will be performed.
2. Draw and label the parts of the representative nematodes in the prepared slides as seen
under LPO and HPO.
3. Make a schematic drawing of the life cycle of Trichuris trichiura, Trichinella spiralis
and Capillaria philippinensis.
 Laboratory Activity 15
PHYLUM NEMATODA
Trichuris trichuria (whipworm), Trichinella spiralis (pork worm) and
Capillaria philippinensis (pudoc worm)

DATA SHEET

Name: Date:May 03, 2023

Group No.: 2 Score:

Data and Results:

B. Draw and label the parts of the following nematodes as observed in the microscope.

Trichuris trichiura ova Trichuris trichiura ova

LPO HPO

Total Magnification: 100x Total Magnification:400x

 Trichuris trichiura larvae Trichuris trichiura larvae
LPO HPO

Total Magnification: 100x Total Magnification:400x

Trichuris trichiura larvae female w.m Trichuris trichiura larvae female w.m
LPO HPO

Total Magnification: 100x Total Magnification:400x

 Trichinella spiralis larvae w.m Trichinella spiralis larvae w.m
LPO HPO
Total Magnification: 100x Total Magnification:400x

Capillaria philippinensis larvae Capillaria philippinensis larvae

LPO HPO
Total Magnification: 100x Total Magnification:400x
 Capillaria philippinensis ova Capillaria philippinensis ova
LPO HPO
Total Magnification: 100x Total Magnification:400x

The Schematic drawing of the life cycle of:

1. Life Cycle of Trichuris trichuria

 2. Life Cycle of Trichinella spiralis

3. Life Cycle of Capillaria philippinensis

Questions

Questions:

1. Describe the morphological features of Trichuris trichuria, Trichinella spiralis, and

Capillaria philippinensis.

Adult males of Trichuris trichiura are 30-45 millimeters long, with a coiled posterior
end. Adult females are 35-50 millimeters with a straight posterior end. Both sexes
have a long, whip-like anterior end. Adults reside in the large intestine, cecum and
appendix of the host.
 Trichinella spiralis is the smallest known nematode parasite of humans. The males
measure about 1.4 mm to 1.6 mm in length and the females are twice the size of the
males. The worm's body is more slender at the anterior than at the posterior end.

Intestinal capillariasis initially manifests as abdominal/gastrointestinal disease, which

can become serious if not treated because of autoinfection. A protein-losing
enteropathy can develop, resulting in complications such as cardiomyopathy, severe
emaciation, cachexia, and death. In the first recognized outbreak of intestinal
capillariasis, the case fatality rate was over 10%.

2. Cite specific examples of parasitism of nematodes and its effects on host.

Livestock parasitic nematodes have a significant economic impact worldwide. Despite

advancements in the development of new treatment drugs and attempts to produce
viable vaccinations against some of these nematodes, there has been limited success in
the development of practical diagnostic procedures. The accurate and sensitive
detection of parasitic nematode infections in livestock is essential for successful
disease control, which is especially significant considering the challenges associated
with parasite resistance.

Animal and Human Parasitic Nematodes Parasitic nematodes infect animals from all
ecosystems, while over 342 species infect humans. Each year, over 3.5 billion people
worldwide are infected with nematodes, the majority of whom live in tropical areas
and underdeveloped countries. Ascaris, filarial nematodes, hookworms, pinworms,
and whipworms are all parasitic nematodes in humans. Ancylostoma duodenale,
Necator americanus, Trichinella spiralis, Wuchereria bancrofti, Onchocerca volvulus,
and other species are among them.
 3. Discuss the distribution, abundance, and ecological importance of free-living
nematodes found in shallow water of marine environment.

Bacteria, algae, fungi, dead creatures, and live tissues are all sources of food for
free-living nematodes. They increase soil structure and water-holding capacity while
releasing nutrients for plant use.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Trichuris trichuria, Trichinella spiralis, and capillaria philippines are the three
important intestinal parasites that can cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans. The
preventional strategies including proper sanitation and cooking the food thoroughly are important in
reducing infections.

References

CDC - DPDx - Trichuriasis. (2017, December 19). CDC - DPDx - Trichuriasis.

https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/trichuriasis/index.html#:~:text=Adult%20males%20of%20Trichuris%20tr
ichiura,and%20appendix%20of%20the%20host.

Trichinella spiralis. (n.d.). ADW: Trichinella Spiralis: INFORMATION.

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Trichinella_spiralis/

CDC - DPDx - Intestinal Capillariasis. (2020, February 14). CDC - DPDx - Intestinal Capillariasis.
https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/intestinalcapillariasis/index.html

Animal Parasitic Nematodes - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Animal Parasitic

Nematodes - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-394807-6.00061-7

Parasitic Nematodes - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Parasitic Nematodes - an Overview

| ScienceDirect Topics. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818654-1.00022-0